Margaret Keane is an American artist best known for her distinctive, wide-eyed portraits of children, a style that became iconic during the 1950s and 60s. Her paintings, featuring melancholy, exaggerated eyes, captured the attention of the art world and beyond, sparking a cultural phenomenon.

However, for years, Margaret’s name was hidden behind the shadow of her husband, Walter Keane, who fraudulently took credit for her work and reaped the financial rewards.

Margaret’s story is one of resilience, deception, and ultimately, justice. In this post, we’ll explore the rise of Margaret Keane’s artwork, how her husband stole her success, and the dramatic court case that finally revealed the truth.

The Rise of Margaret Keane’s Big-Eyed Art

Margaret Keane, born in 1927, had a natural talent for art from a young age. Her distinctive style, which featured children with large, haunting eyes, was inspired by her own childhood experiences and her deep emotional connection to the eyes as a window to the soul. In the 1950s, Margaret began painting these figures more seriously, but it wasn’t until she met Walter Keane that her life took a dramatic turn.

Walter Keane, a real estate agent and self-proclaimed artist, saw commercial potential in Margaret’s unique style. He encouraged her to paint more pieces, and soon the paintings began to sell. However, Walter made a shocking decision early on—he claimed that he was the artist behind the big-eyed portraits, leaving Margaret to work in the shadows, producing more paintings while he took credit.

How Walter Keane Took Credit for Margaret’s Work

Walter Keane’s ability to market and sell art was undeniable. His charm and savvy business sense allowed him to quickly rise in the art world, using Margaret’s work as his own. He began selling the paintings in galleries, at art shows, and to celebrities, all while positioning himself as the creative genius behind the pieces.

Walter’s marketing brilliance propelled the "big eyes" into the spotlight, and soon the paintings were everywhere, from postcards to posters to mass-market prints. The works became a pop culture sensation, and Walter basked in the fame and fortune that came with it. He even opened an art gallery in San Francisco, where he continued to present himself as the creator of the iconic paintings.

Meanwhile, Margaret quietly produced the works in the background. Walter pressured her to keep silent, insisting that no one would buy the paintings if they knew a woman had created them. Fearful and intimidated, Margaret complied with his demands, working tirelessly to meet the growing demand for the artwork, even as her husband took all the credit.

The Impact of the Deception on Margaret Keane

For over a decade, Margaret Keane lived in a state of emotional and psychological turmoil. The knowledge that her husband was stealing her work and taking credit for her creativity weighed heavily on her. The fame and financial success that should have been hers instead built up Walter’s reputation as a talented artist.

Margaret eventually became isolated, as Walter controlled nearly every aspect of her life. In interviews, she later described the immense pressure she felt to continue creating art under these conditions. The more successful the paintings became, the more trapped she felt, knowing that her truth was hidden from the world.

Breaking Free: Margaret Keane’s Decision to Reveal the Truth

By the late 1960s, Margaret had reached her breaking point. After years of suffering in silence, she decided to leave Walter and relocate to Hawaii. It was during this time that she found the strength to begin speaking out, publicly stating that she was the real artist behind the big-eyed paintings.

At first, Margaret’s claims were dismissed. Walter was deeply entrenched in his false identity as the artist, and he continued to vehemently deny her assertions. However, Margaret refused to back down. She began signing her name to her new works and slowly started rebuilding her career—this time, with her name front and center.

The Dramatic Court Case: Margaret vs. Walter Keane

The battle for credit and justice reached its climax in 1986, when Margaret Keane decided to file a lawsuit against Walter for defamation. By this point, Walter’s reputation had begun to crumble, and Margaret was determined to clear her name once and for all. The case went to trial in Hawaii, where Margaret sought to prove that she, not Walter, was the true artist behind the big-eyed portraits.

In what would become one of the most dramatic moments in art history, the judge presiding over the case ordered both Margaret and Walter to produce a painting in court to prove who was the real artist. Walter, who had claimed to suffer from a shoulder injury, refused to paint. Margaret, however, quickly produced one of her signature big-eyed children on the spot.

The courtroom stunt proved decisive—Margaret won the case, and the court officially recognized her as the creator of the famous big-eyed paintings. Walter Keane’s deception was finally exposed, and he was ordered to pay damages, although he never fully compensated Margaret for the financial and emotional toll he had taken on her life.

Margaret Keane’s Legacy and the Recognition She Deserved

Since the court case, Margaret Keane has been rightfully recognized as the true artist behind her work. She continued to paint and gained newfound respect from both art critics and fans alike. Her story, once overshadowed by her husband’s fraud, has since become a powerful testament to resilience and the fight for creative ownership.

Margaret’s legacy was further cemented in 2014 when director Tim Burton brought her story to the big screen in the film Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams as Margaret and Christoph Waltz as Walter. The film highlighted the emotional and legal battles Margaret faced and reintroduced her art to a new generation.

Why Margaret Keane’s Story Matters Today

The story of Margaret Keane is not just about one woman’s fight for artistic recognition—it’s a reminder of the importance of creative ownership and the struggles many artists face in gaining proper credit for their work. The art world has long been a place where male figures often dominate, and Margaret’s story sheds light on the gendered dynamics that still persist in many industries today.

Additionally, the Keane story serves as a warning about the dangers of manipulation and fraud in the creative sector. It’s a powerful example of how the truth can be hidden for years, but ultimately, perseverance and integrity will prevail.

Conclusion

Margaret Keane’s story is one of the most compelling tales in modern art history, marked by deception, perseverance, and eventual triumph. For years, her husband, Walter Keane, took credit for her groundbreaking work, reaping both financial rewards and public recognition. However, Margaret’s courage to stand up and fight for her name brought her the justice she deserved.

Today, Margaret Keane’s big-eyed paintings are recognized not just for their unique style but also for the story behind them—a story of an artist who finally reclaimed her voice and her legacy.

Margaret Keane continues to inspire artists and creatives everywhere, showing that even in the face of adversity, the truth can—and will—eventually come to light.