American artist Margaret Keane has died of heart failure at the age of 94 in her home in California. His trademark enlarged eye portraits were hugely popular in the 50s and 60s, but his story gained popularity in 2014 thanks to the film. ᲓGo eyes, Directed by Tim Burton.
The story of Barton’s film focuses on the ordeal her husband endured over the years. Walter Keane, a real estate agent and marketing technician, took charge of Margaret’s drawings and forced her to paint for 16 hours before she could enjoy the richness of her work. If he went outside, he would call home every hour to make sure he was still working. “It was a castle,” he admitted years later.
Portraits KnutSigned on behalf of Keane, it sparked a sensation and made the media couple even appear on the cover of Life magazine. The works preferred by the American high society were those in which abandoned children with big sad eyes appeared. These paintings cost $ 50,000 each.
His shy character contrasted with his character, who moved in powerful circles, made contacts, and sold himself as a true artist. In fact, it was Margaret who made portraits of Zaza Za Gabor, Kim Novak, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner or Joan Crawford. He also painted the Kennedys and Jerry Lewis family dressed as harlequins. His style did not go unnoticed, but Andy Warhol himself came out to defend him and praised him, saying that it would not be bad to be so successful.
“Everything is snowing and it was too late to say I did not paint them,” the artist told the New York Times years later. “I always regret that I was not strong enough for my rights.
Margaret refined her technique and began to sign perfect works differently, even under the threat of Walter’s death. In 1965 he divorced and in 1986 sued him. The judge asked both of them to draw in court to prove who the real artist was. He claimed he could not stand it with a shoulder injury, but he finished the frame in 53 minutes and won. Judge Walter forced his ex-wife to pay $ 4 million, so in 2000 he died bankrupt.
Renewed glory
Margaret Keane repeatedly refused to sell her storytelling rights until several screenwriters came and handed her over to Tim Burton. He filmed Helena Bonham Carter a few years ago, so he agreed to capture her. Amy Adams was the actress chosen to play her role – the owner of a Golden Globe for this role – and Christopher Waltz hit the skin of Walter.
With the film and the context of the Fourth Feminist Wave, the figure of Keane has regained power. Artist Opened a gallery in California, Whose main picture on social media shows him with Amy Adams. It is said that his favorite artist is Amedeo Modigliani and he was also inspired by Van Gogh, Rousseau, Picasso, Gustav Klimt or Gauguin.
At age 90, Keane began treating hospice at home. In 2017, he revealed that he was suffering from circulatory and lung problems that made him dependent on a constant supply of oxygen. His daughter told the media that the artist died in the company of loved ones and in “peace.”
Source: El Diario
