Date of Birth: September 15, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: June 26, 2022
Biography
Margaret Keane was an American artist renowned for her distinctive paintings featuring subjects with oversized, expressive eyes. Born Peggy Doris Hawkins in Nashville, Tennessee, she moved to California, where she gained prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. Her work became a cultural phenomenon, even as her husband, Walter Keane, initially took credit for her paintings. The couple’s relationship and the subsequent legal battle over the authorship of her work were dramatized in the 2014 film “Big Eyes,” directed by Tim Burton. After winning a lawsuit in 1986, Margaret was rightfully recognized as the creator of the iconic “big-eyed” paintings. She continued to paint and exhibit her work throughout her life, leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.
5 Interesting Facts about Margaret Keane
1. Margaret Keane’s work was initially marketed and sold by her husband, Walter Keane, who falsely claimed to be the artist.
2. She won a landmark court case in 1986, where she proved she was the true artist by painting a big-eyed child in front of the jury.
3. Margaret’s art was featured in numerous films and television shows, becoming a staple of American pop culture.
4. She was a Jehovah’s Witness and often incorporated themes of spirituality and human emotion into her work.
5. Margaret Keane continued to create and exhibit her art well into her 90s, demonstrating her lifelong passion for painting.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Margaret Keane
1. “Eyes are windows to the soul.”
2. “I was afraid to say anything. I was afraid of Walter and I was afraid of what the world would think.”
3. “I hope that my work brings joy and happiness to people.”
4. “The eyes I draw on my characters show the depth of their emotions and their souls.”
5. “Painting is a way of healing for me. It’s something I need to do to stay balanced.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Margaret Keane’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Margaret Keane had one daughter, Jane Swigert, from her first marriage to Frank Richard Ulbrich.
Relevant Links
1. [Margaret Keane – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Keane
3. [Keane Eyes Gallery](https://www.keane-eyes.com/
5. [Biography of Margaret Keane](https://www.biography.com/artist/margaret-keane
