Margaret Keane

American, 1927 - 2022
Margaret, born in 1927 in Nashville, Tennessee, discovered her passion for painting and drawing at a young age. Her artistic journey began to garner attention when her paintings gained prominence in San Francisco's North Beach during the 1950s.
 
Despite receiving limited acclaim from art critics, Margaret's work resonated with a global audience, earning admiration and love. Even Andy Warhol acknowledged her impact, stating, "I think what Keane has done is terrific! If it were bad, so many people wouldn’t like it." Margaret emerged as one of the most successful living artists from the early 60s to the present day.
 
In the early 60s, Margaret's art sparked a big-eyed movement, influencing a cohort of artists such as Lee, Gig, Maio, Ozz Franca, Igor Pantuhoff, and Eve. Her legacy of Big Eyes has left an indelible mark, shaping toy designs, cartoons like the Powerpuff Girls, and inspiring contemporary artists like Yoshitomo Nara, Mark Ryden, and Tim Burton.
 
A devoted admirer of Amedeo Modigliani, Margaret's artistry, especially in depicting women, reflects Modigliani's influence since around 1959. Throughout the years, she drew inspiration from a diverse array of masters, including Van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, Leonardo da Vinci, Gustav Klimt, Edgar Degas, Picasso, Sandro Botticelli, and Paul Gauguin. Each of these influences shaped Margaret's approach to color, dimension, and composition, contributing to her unique creative genius.
 
Margaret continued to sketch daily, leaving behind a legacy adored by fans and collectors worldwide until her passing on June 26, 2022, in Napa, California. Her prolific and influential career solidifies Margaret as an American icon and modern master, with over 60 years of timeless art that remains a labor of love. Explore her artistic journey on our website, where Margaret's creations continue to inspire and captivate audiences globally.
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