The Keane Eyes

They are iconic paintings often ridiculed and hated but they are some of the best known images of the late 50's the Keane paintings. Were they created by Walter Keane as he contended until his death or by his ex-wife Margaret? There is much debate over who exactly created the works. Walter Keane claims he did and was inspired by the waifs of post war Europe. Margaret on the other hand claims it was she her created them and challenged her ex-husband in court eventually winning a multi-million dollar settlement.

The paintings themselves have been reproduced and the style copied all around the world. Large sad eyes staring out at the viewer extracting either pity or scorn. Are they the ultimate in kitsch or fine art who is to say? Love them or hate them you do know them.
Was Margaret Keane locked in a room painting her sad eyed girls while her husband took the credit? He (Walter) said no he did indeed paint them as well as Margaret. What he did do is market them and that he did very well the paintings took off in the late 50's and early 60's becoming wildly popular. Margaret on the other hand claimed it was she who did the painting and challenged her by this time ex-husband to several "Paint Offs" which Walter never appeared. It wasn't until the court room show down where Margaret painted a painting in under an hour and Walter claimed he could not because of a painful shoulder that Margaret seems to have won her case and her place in art history.

Sure the paintings are camp and collectible but they have also inspired scores of knock offs and tributes. The 1990's animated "The Powderpuff Girls" being one example. The paintings are also very collectible and have a large celebrity following. One of those collectors is film maker Tim Burton. Burton is said to be making a film about Margaret starring Reese Witherspoon titled "Big Eyes".
Walter Keane died several years ago never giving up his claim to be the painter. Margaret Keane is still alive and living in Napa painting wide eyed faces.