William Penn Life, 2016 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2016-05-01 / 5. szám

mais, such as nymphs and pixies, his great attention to botanical details, his warm pastel water colors and intricate oil paintings. His masterpiece was completely illustrating "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."

But, when he moved to America, he became more interested in theatre, stage settings and costume design and began working for the Metropolitan Opera House. He later moved to Hollywood to serve as an art director for several film studios during the '30s and '40s. His finest film productions were "Fashions of 1934" and "Dames."

It wasn't long before some of America's wealthiest patrons commissioned Willy to paint tiles, walls and ceilings for their mansions. In addition to John Ringling's Florida home, Pogány painted for William Randolph Hearst's California estate, followed by commissions for John Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Carole Lombard.

Pogány was so lauded that he was awarded gold medals in Budapest and at the Leipzig Expo. In 1914, his illustrations graced the covers of major magazines like Harper's Weekly, Town and Country and Ladies' Home Journal.

Willy was married twice and had two sons.

His works can still be seen in New York City at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on 45th Street and at the El Museo Del Barrio Theatre at 1230 - 5th Ave. In addition to illustrating more than 150 volumes, he wrote three art instruction books.

Willy died in New York City in 1955, but his whimsical self-portrait at the left of the entrance to the game room in Ca' d'Zan in Florida causes visitors to smile in gratitude for this Hungarian artist who brought so much joy to audiences worldwide.

To see more of Pogany's work, visit www.americanartarchives.com/ pogány,w.htm. □

William Penn Life 0 May 2016 0 13