Walter Keane Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Walter Stanley Keane was born in 1915 in Lincoln and became famous in the 1950s for his series of paintings depicting orphans with enormous eyes. However, it was later revealed that these paintings were actually created by his wife, Margaret Keane. Read the full biography

Walter Stanley Keane was born in 1915 in Lincoln and became famous in the 1950s for his series of paintings depicting orphans with enormous eyes. However, it was later revealed that these paintings were actually created by his wife, Margaret Keane. When he made this fact public, Walter responded with an article in USA Today, claiming he had done the job. In 1986, Margaret sued Keane and USA Today for defamation. During the trial, the judge ordered both Walter and Margaret to create a painting, but Walter claimed that he had a sore shoulder and was unable to paint. Margaret, on the other hand, completed the painting in just 53 minutes. The jury awarded Margaret $4 million in damages.