POGANY, Willy

"one of the rewards of artistic effort ... the delight in doing your own work, and in feeling that it gives pleasure and inspiration to others"

Vilmos Andreas Pogány was born in Hungary, but from 1905 spent a decade in London where he gained numerous commissions to illustrate gift books, most notably from George Harrap. Harrap was so impressed with Pogany’s work he allowed him enormous input into the design of his books, from material and paper selection, to the calligraphic style text, the merging of different styles of illustration and printing techniques, all to stunning effect.  Influences of Oriental art, the Pre-Raphaelites and Medieval illuminated manuscripts are all evident in his work.  The start of the war in 1914 meant that Pogany, not a naturalised British citizen, was forced to flee to America, where he enjoyed a diverse career, entailing more book illustration, poster design, theatre and costume design and involvement in various Hollywood films.

Amongst Pogany's most celebrated works are The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Wagner's Operas and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Please scroll down to see our current stock of first editions by Pogany.