 In 1917 to 1921, he worked for the Metropolitan Opera designing sketches, scenery and costumes.In 1918 he illustrated a children's retelling of Homer, "The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy" written by Padraic Colum.In his 1952 autobiography "Witness", Whittaker Chambers described "Willi Pogany" ("long a scene designer at the Metropolitan Opera House") as the brother of Joseph Pogany.