Lot 461: Margaret Keane Big Eyes O/C Painting, 1961, “Sound of Fragrance”

Margaret D. (Hawkins) Keane (American/Tennessee, 1927-2022) oil on canvas painting titled “Sound of Fragrance,” depicting a young woman with Keane’s trademark “big eyes,” holding a flower near her ear. The woman is depicted waist length, in a sleeveless yellow dress, with partially upswept auburn hair, against a blue and white shaded background. Signed “MDH Keane” lower left corner. Rococo style carved, white-painted and parcel gilt frame. Stretcher: 24 in. H x 18 in. W. Frame: 32 in. H. x 26 in. W. Note: This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Keane Eyes Gallery of San Francisco (and of a 2016 invoice from the gallery for repair work done in part by the artist, Margaret Keane). This painting was the cover image for a circa 1962 marketing brochure telling the story of “the wonderful world of the Walter Keanes.” The brochure is included with this lot. Biography: Nashville born Margaret Keane was best known for her portraits of children, women and animals with distinctively large and expressive eyes. Other than attending the Traphagen School of Design in New York for a period of time in her late teens, she was largely self taught, yet she became one of the most commercially successful and controversial artists of the 1950s-60s, with her portraits often reproduced on decorative, mass produced items. For years, her second husband Walter Keane successfully marketed and sold the paintings as his own. In 1986 Margaret sued Walter, revealing that she had actually painted the works, and a judge ordered a live “paint-off” in court. Margaret won when she quickly painted one of her trademark figures, while Walter declined, claiming shoulder pain. Their story became the basis of a 2014 film, “Big Eyes,” starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. Margaret died in California in 2022. 

PROVENANCE: The collection of Mr. and Mrs. David C. Allen, Springfield, Tennessee; Heritage Auctions, lot 35067, Sept. 2024; ex-Gwenne L. Barr, Boca Raton, Florida; ex-Keane Gallery, San Francisco. 

CONDITION: Repaired 2 1/2 in. tear with retouch to background, just above subject’s right shoulder, visible under UV light.  Per the accompanying invoice, the retouch was done by the artist, Margaret Keane. Some other possible retouch to areas of perimeter. Small 1/8 in. spot of retouch to subject’s hair, top of head, and 1/4 in. spot of retouch to the flower, all visible under UV light. Some small spots of wear and loss to outer edges of frame.