Boy in a blue shirt

Margaret Keane

1927-2022

Boy in a blue shirt

Oil on canvas
Signed lower right: Keane
8" H x 22" W

Notes:
Margaret Keane, born as Peggy Doris Hawkins in 1927, is an American artist known for her distinctive paintings featuring subjects with large, expressive eyes. Her unique style and prolific body of work garnered both popular acclaim and commercial success, but her journey as an artist was not without challenges and controversy.

Keane was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and displayed artistic talent from a young age. She honed her skills through formal art education and began her career as a freelance artist, creating illustrations and portraits. In the 1950s, she married Walter Keane, a fellow artist, and they embarked on a journey together that would significantly impact Margaret's artistic trajectory.

In the early years of their marriage, the Keane couple moved to San Francisco, where Margaret's art caught the attention of art enthusiasts and collectors. Her distinct style, characterized by subjects with large, haunting eyes, resonated with many viewers and gained a considerable following. However, it was the subsequent events that would shape Margaret's career and personal life in profound ways.

In a controversial turn of events, it was revealed that Walter Keane had been fraudulently claiming credit for Margaret's artwork. He had been promoting himself as the artist behind the "Keane paintings," which had gained widespread popularity. Margaret's actual role as the true creator of the iconic artworks had been hidden from the public eye for years. The revelation led to a highly publicized legal battle and a court-ordered "paint-off" to determine the true artist. In 1986, Margaret took to the stand and produced a painting in front of the court, proving beyond a doubt that she was the genuine talent behind the famous Keane paintings.

The exposure of the truth marked a turning point in Margaret's life. She reclaimed her artistic identity and embarked on a journey of personal and creative liberation, and Keane's work began to receive proper recognition, and her unique style found new appreciation among art collectors and enthusiasts.

Margaret Keane's paintings, with their distinctive eyes and emotive qualities, continue to captivate audiences around the world. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums, and her influence on popular culture can be seen in films, books, and other artistic mediums. Keane died on June 26, 2022 at the age of 94.

Condition: Visual: Overall good condition. A stretcher bar crease along the upper edge, primarily visible in raking light. An unobtrusive pea-sized reverse pressure mark on the left side of the figure's hair.

Blacklight: No evidence of restoration.

Frame: 15.25" H x 29.5" W x 2.5" D

Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.