Big Eye Keane Paintings

What you need to know

The Paintings That Sparked One of Art History’s Strangest Frauds

Margaret Keane’s big-eyed paintings, waifs with enormous, saucer-like eyes staring out from the canvas, were one of the most commercially successful art phenomena of the 1960s. Her husband Walter claimed credit for years, selling them from a gallery on Fisherman’s Wharf and becoming a minor celebrity. The fraud unraveled in a 1986 courtroom when a judge asked both Keanes to paint a big-eyed child on the spot. Margaret finished hers in 53 minutes. Walter claimed a sore shoulder.

What Makes It Worth It

The story is fascinating regardless of how you feel about the art. Margaret Keane lived and painted in San Francisco, and the city was central to the rise (and the fraud) of the big-eye paintings. Tim Burton’s 2014 film “Big Eyes” brought renewed attention to her work.

Original Keane paintings surface periodically at Bay Area galleries, antique shops, and estate sales. The Keane Eyes Gallery operated on Fisherman’s Wharf for decades, though its current status varies. Check before visiting. Reproductions and prints are common in San Francisco vintage shops.

For a guaranteed viewing, the de Young Museum has occasionally displayed Keane works, and several private collections in the city hold originals. The most reliable way to see the paintings is to search local gallery listings or contact the Keane Eyes Gallery directly.

Skip this if you want a single, guaranteed museum stop. Seeing original Keanes requires some hunting.

Visiting

Address: Keane Eyes Gallery (check current location, historically on Fisherman’s Wharf)

Neighborhood: Fisherman’s Wharf / Various

Cost: Free to view at galleries. Prints start around $20. Originals are in the thousands.

Hours: Varies by gallery. Check the Keane Eyes Gallery website for current hours.

Best time to go: Weekdays to avoid Fisherman’s Wharf crowds.

What to know: The gallery has changed locations over the years. Confirm the address before visiting. Margaret Keane passed away in 2022 at age 95.

Getting There

Transit: Muni F-Market streetcar to Fisherman’s Wharf. Powell-Hyde cable car terminates nearby.

Parking: Garage parking at Ghirardelli Square or Pier 39. Street parking near the Wharf is extremely limited.

Walking: Combine with Ghirardelli Square, Musée Mécanique, or a walk along the Embarcadero.

📍 Location: This activity is in Fisherman’s Wharf. Explore the neighborhood →