Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin in 1937, psychedelic Pop art icon Peter Max spent the first part of his childhood in Shanghai after his parents emigrated from Germany to flee the Nazis. While there, Max developed his deep interest in American pop culture — namely comic books, jazz and cinema. Max’s paintings, graphic design, prints and illustrations, which were inspired by these interests, were also informed by his experience with synesthesia, a sensory condition that causes him to see music and hear color.
After relocating to Haifa, Israel, then Paris, where he spent a significant amount of time in sketching classes at the Louvre, a teenage Max and his family finally moved to the United States, settling in Brooklyn. Max enrolled in the Art Students League of New York in 1956, training under Frank J. Reilly, and then the School of Visual Arts. Throughout art school, Max focused on photorealism, but he found the style too restrictive. When he graduated and opened his graphic design studio with friends in 1962, he began experimenting with abstraction and color — just in time for the psychedelic era.
The technicolor works for which Max would become known are characterized by big and bold graphic qualities — not dissimilar to what you’d find in his beloved comic books. Some deeper themes emerged across his work too: Max spent a good portion of the 1960s and 1970s creating his signature cosmic style, inspired by his fascination with astronomy and Eastern philosophies.
For Max and his partners, the graphic design business was highly successful, with commissions rolling in from advertising agencies, magazines and even Hollywood in the form of movie posters. The artist was featured on the cover of Life in 1969, and by the 1970s, he was practically a household name.
Max's body of work extended into product design, including a line of clocks for General Electric, while his domination of the commercial art scene continued for decades. He was commissioned to paint a postage stamp honoring the World’s Fair of 1974 (Expo ‘74); a Statue of Liberty series in which some proceeds went on to fund the statue’s restoration; posters and other advertising materials for major events like the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open and the Grammys; a Dale Earnhardt race car; and even the hull of the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship.
Commercial activities aside, Max has long been the subject of many museum exhibitions, from his first solo show in 1970, “The World of Peter Max,” at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco to 2016's “Peter Max: 50 Years of Cosmic Dreaming” at the Tampa Museum of Art in Florida. Today, his work belongs to the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and other institutions.
Find original Peter Max lithographs, paintings, signed art and other works for sale on 1stDibs.
Peter Max Contemporary Screen Print, 1971, Signed, Lady with Portrait
By Peter Max
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Peter Max Title: Lady with Portrait Medium: Screen print in colors Date: 1971 Edition: 129/250 Sheet Size: 29 3/4" x 21 3/4" Frame Size: 36 3/4" x 28 3/4" Signature: Hand sig...
Screen
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Peter Max God Bless America Mixed Media Original Painting 24x18 2002
By Peter Max
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Peter Max Title: God Bless America Medium: Original Mixed Media Painting on Paper Dimensions: 24" x 18" Year: 2002 Inscription: Signed "Max" on the bottom front Documentation...
Paper, Acrylic
Profile, Pop Art Etching by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Profile, Year: 1990, Medium: Etching, signed in crayon and numbered in pencil, Edition: 39/41, Image Size: 11 x 9 inches, Size: 22.5 in. x...
Etching
Peter Max Contemporary Color Screen Print, 1976, Signed, Flowering Angel
By Peter Max
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Peter Max Title: Flowering Angel Medium: Screen print in colors Date: 1976 Edition: 27/100 Sheet Size: 30" x 23" Frame Size: 37" x 30" Signature: Hand signed in pencil Price ...
Screen
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
EARTH FLOWERS Signed Lithograph 1979, Abstract Floral, Pop Art
By Peter Max
Located in Union City, NJ
EARTH FLOWERS is a rarely seen, original hand drawn lithograph by the renowned American Pop artist, Peter Max, printed in 1979 in an edition of 165, using traditional hand lithograph...
Lithograph
Cosmic Flyer Original Mixed Media Drawing, Watercolor on Paper, Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size 17 x 21 inches. Artwork size 11 x 15 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certif...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
Liberty Head
By Peter Max
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Peter Max (1937) Liberty Head (2009) Mixed media on paper Size: 11 x 8.5 in (27.94 × 21.59 cm) Frame size: 20 x 17.25 in (50.8 × 43.82 cm) Signed ===
Paper, Mixed Media
$1,540Sale Price|30% Off
MONK AND VASE Signed Lithograph 1980, Pop Art Interior, Man in Striped Robe
By Peter Max
Located in Union City, NJ
MONK AND VASE is an original hand drawn lithograph by the renowned American Pop artist, Peter Max, printed in 1980 in an edition of 165, using traditional hand lithography techniques...
Lithograph
"Peace Corps" Lithographic Poster, Pop Art, Signed, Circa 1970
By Peter Max
Located in Astoria, NY
Peter Max (American, b. 1937), "Peace Corps", Lithographic Poster in Colors, circa 1970, titled to top, inscribed and signed "For Alice / Peter Max" lower right, silver-tone frame. ...
Lithograph
"The Garden", 1981, Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: The Garden Year: 1983 Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 165 Size: 21.5 x 25 inches
Lithograph
$1,995Sale Price|23% Off
COMPOSITION RED Signed Lithograph, Pop Art Floral Still Life, Round Vase
By Peter Max
Located in Union City, NJ
COMPOSITION RED is an original hand drawn lithograph by the renowned American Pop artist, Peter Max, printed using traditional hand lithography techniques on archival printmaking pap...
Lithograph
$1,180Sale Price|25% Off
THE GARDEN Signed Lithograph, Pop Art Landscape, Seated Man, Crayon Colors
By Peter Max
Located in Union City, NJ
THE GARDEN is an original hand drawn lithograph by the renowned American Pop artist, Peter Max, printed in 1980 using traditional hand lithography techniques on archival Somerset paper, 100% acid free. THE GARDEN is a dreamy, abstract line drawing...
Lithograph
USA Film Festival, Dallas (Pink), Psychedelic Art Screenprint by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - USA Film Festival, Dallas (Pink), Year: 1973, Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 124/300, Image Size: 27.25 x 39 ...
Screen
$1,051Sale Price|20% Off
Winged Flyer with Sunrise II, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Winged Flyer with Sunrise II Year: 2001 Edition: 498/500, plus proofs Medium: Lithograph on Lustro Saxony paper Size: 9 x 11 inches Condition: Excelle...
Lithograph
Alfred (Hitchcock), Psychedelic Art Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Alfred (Hitchcock), Year: 1980, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 165, HC, Image Size: 19.5 x 19 inches, Size: 2...
Lithograph
Umbrella Man with Profile, Original Mixed Media Drawing, Signed, 18x20
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size 18 x 20 inches. Artwork size 12 x 13.75 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Cer...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$7,000
“New Moon”
By Peter Max
Located in Warren, NJ
This is an Peter Max mixed media “new moon” acrylic on paper . Measures 47x44. Condition is good some minor frame wear. No coa but has registration code on the back from park west.
Acrylic
Tibetan Lady, Psychedelic Art Hand-Colored Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Tibetan Lady, Year: 1980, Medium: Lithograph with Hand-Coloring, Image Size: 16.5 x 25 inches, Size: 22 x 30 in. (55.88 x 76.2 cm)
Lithograph
Angel (Yellow), Pop Art Etching by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Angel (Yellow), Year: circa 1981, Medium: Etching with Chine Colle, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: PP 1, Image Size: 7 x 10 inches...
Etching
Profile, Heart and Vase, Pop Art Etching by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Profile, Heart and Vase, Year: circa 1981, Medium: Etching with Chine Colle, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: PP 1, Image Size: 7 x ...
Etching
"Umbrella Man with 2 Sailboats"
By Peter Max
Located in Warren, NJ
Frame: 16.5 x 15.5 x 1 Picture: 6 x 4.5 Picture in excellent condition Frame is in “fair” condition
Watercolor
Sage Abstract, Original Acrylic Painting, Custom Framed, Pop Art, 1989
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by Peter Max with studio catalog number and date on verso. Canvas size 30 x 24 inches. Custom framed with hand painted fillet as ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Lady on Couch Serigraph, Pop Art, 1980s, Framed, Hand Signed Limited Edition
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artist Proof (AP) edition of 45. Sheet size 23 x 27.5 inches. Image size 18 x 22.5 inches. Custom framed as ...
Paper, Screen
$571Sale Price|20% Off
Cosmic Saturn, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Cosmic Saturn Year: 2003 Edition: 452/500, plus proofs Medium: Lithograph on Lustro Saxony paper Size: 3.5 x 3 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription...
Lithograph
Zero's Friend Hand Signed Lithograph, Pop Art, Framed, 1980, 74/165
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Lithograph in colors on paper. Hand signed and dated lower front by Peter Max. Hand numbered 74/165 lower left. Sheet size: 27 x 21.5 inches. Frame size: 34 x 28 inches (black fr...
Paper, Lithograph
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Umbrella Man, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Umbrella Man Year: 2015 Medium: Watercolor and silkscreen on Fabriano paper Size: 12 x 13.75 inches Inscription: Signed in ink Notes: Published, print...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Screen
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Umbrella Man, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Umbrella Man Year: 2015 Medium: Watercolor and silkscreen on Fabriano paper Size: 12 x 13.75 inches Inscription: Signed in ink Notes: Published, print...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Screen
Brown Lady Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Pop Art, Custom Framed, 1993
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by Peter Max. Canvas size 36 x 24 inches. Custom frame with hand painted filet. Frame size approx 46 x 33.75 inches. Stu...
Canvas, Acrylic
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Sailboat on the Horizon, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Sailboat on the Horizon Year: 2015 Medium: Watercolor and silkscreen on Fabriano paper Size: 21 x 15 inches Inscription: Signed in ink Notes: Publishe...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Screen
Blushing Beauty 2011 Ver. I #38, Unique Acrylic Painting on Paper, Hand Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Blushing Beauty 2011 Ver. I #38. Unique, one of a kind acrylic painting on paper. Hand signed lower front by Peter Max. Paper size: 14 x 11 inches. Frame size: 23.25 x 20.25 inch...
Paper, Acrylic
$3,500
Pink Sun
By Peter Max
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original mixed media work by Peter Max. Max created studies for his lithographic work in order to figure out the exact composition and colors. This is one such study. Max h...
Mixed Media, Color Pencil, Graphite, Lithograph
Sage and Profile
By Peter Max
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Peter Max Sage and Profile, 2005 Medium: Original lithograph with acrylic on paper Edition: Unique Sheet Size: 11" x 8 1/2" Float mounted on the premium board Signature: Hand signed ...
Mixed Media
Nelson Mandela, Pop Art Portrait by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Nelson Mandela Year: 2001 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, Signed u.l. Size: 18 x 16 inches
Acrylic
Disney: Goofy, Hand Signed Serigraph, Edition of 500, Custom Framed, 1994
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed lower right by Peter Max. Hand numbered 60/500 lower left. Sheet size: 16 x 14 inches. Custom framed as pictured with matting and a han...
Paper, Screen
Sage and Profile
By Peter Max
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Peter Max Sage and Profile, 2005 Medium: Original lithograph with acrylic on paper Edition: Unique Sheet Size: 11" x 8 1/2" Float mounted on the premium board Signature: Hand signed ...
Mixed Media
Disney: Goofy, Hand Signed Serigraph, Edition of 500, Custom Framed, 1994
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed lower right by Peter Max. Hand numbered 448/500 lower left. Please note the edition number has faded but can be seen when viewed at an an...
Paper, Screen
Peter Max Color Silkscreen Girl From Ibiza Hand Signed , Numbered & Framed
By Peter Max
Located in Plainview, NY
This exceptional piece, titled "Girl From Ibiza," is a distinguished color silkscreen created by the iconic New York School and Pop Artist, Peter Max ( German, American b 1937). Ren...
Lithograph
Nelson Mandela, Pop Art Portrait by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Nelson Mandela 1 Year: 2001 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, Signed Size: 18 x 16 inches
Acrylic
Without Borders #9, Unique Mixed Media on Paper, Pop Art, Signed, 2009
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Mixed media with acrylic painting and color lithography on paper. Hand-signed in acrylic paint on front by Peter Max. A unique variation. Frame size 18 x 15.5 inches. Artwork siz...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Lady of Fasion (Original Study)
By Peter Max
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original mixed media study by American artist Peter Max. Max experimented with color and form in this mixed media acrylic and pencil over lithograph. Max would use these studie...
Acrylic, Color Pencil, Lithograph
His Own Eclipse, Screen Print, Pop Art, Hand Signed, Edition of 250, 1978
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered. Blind stamped in lower left corner. Don't hesitate to ask any questions. Published by AMX Art Ltd., NY and printed by Peter Baum, NY. Edition 126 of 250. ...
Screen, Paper
Blushing Beauty, Unique Mixed Media on Paper, Pop Art, Signed, 2009
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Mixed media with acrylic painting and color lithography on paper. Hand-signed in acrylic paint on front by Peter Max. A unique variation. Frame size 18 x 15.5 inches. Artwork siz...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
$955Sale Price|20% Off
Sailboat with Pyramid, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Sailboat with Pyramid Year: 1998 Edition: 300/300, plus proofs Medium: Lithograph on Coventry Smooth paper Size: 7 x 8 inches Condition: Excellent Ins...
Lithograph
Flag with Heart on Blends
By Peter Max
Located in Missouri, MO
Peter Max (German, b. 1937) Flag with Heart on Blends Signed Lower Right 16.25 x 12 inches 31 x 26.5 inches with frame Peter Max, born Peter Max Finkelstein, is a multi-dimensional...
Acrylic, Lithograph
Disney: Donald Duck Hand Signed Serigraph, Custom Framed, Edition 448/500
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed lower right by Peter Max. Hand numbered 448/500 lower left. Sheet size: 16 x 14 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Previously owned so...
Paper, Screen
Closer to God, Hand Signed Serigraph, Pop Art, Edition of 100, 1971
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph in colors on paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by Peter Max. Published by London Arts Inc., Detroit, MI and printed by Peter Baum, NY. Edition of 100. Artwork is ...
Paper, Screen
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Peter Max Large 38x50 Original Lady with Hat Signed 1982 Ink on Paper
By Peter Max
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Peter Max Title: Lady With Hat Medium: Original Ink on Paper Dimensions: 38" x 50" Year: 1982 Inscription: Signed and dated "Max 1982" on upper right "Lady With Hat" (1982) ...
Paper, Ink
Profile (Green) Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Custom Framed, Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand signed and dated upper front by Peter Max. Canvas size: 24 x 20 inches. Custom framed as pictured. White frame and linen matting with h...
Canvas, Acrylic
Cosmic Profile Mixed Media Drawing, Watercolor on Paper, Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size 18 x 20 inches. Artwork size 12 x 13.75 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Cer...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
Flag Original Painting on Canvas, Signed, 19 x 19 in. Custom Framed, 2008
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand signed upper front by Peter Max. Canvas size: 10 x 10 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Black frame and linen matting with hand painte...
Canvas, Acrylic
In His Garden, Unique Hand Embellished Lithograph, Hand Signed, Pop Art, 1980
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed, dated and inscribed "Study" by the artist. Hand embellished by the artist. A unique variation. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included....
Paper, Lithograph
$1,680Sale Price|30% Off
Sage at Window Signed Lithograph, Pop Art Monk, 1980, Interior Scene
By Peter Max
Located in Union City, NJ
SAGE AT WINDOW is an original hand drawn lithograph by the renowned American Pop artist, Peter Max, printed in 1980 in an edition of 165, using traditional hand lithography techniques on archival Somerset paper, 100% acid free. SAGE AT WINDOW is a dreamy, abstract black line drawing of a Pop Art interior scene depicting a monk dressed in a rose colored robe peering out a window. His body leans toward the left as he bends to view the reflected mountain landscape visible through the window frame. Freely drawn multi color cattail flowers gracefully arch over a colorful floral sofa...
Lithograph
Monk and Vase, Psychedelic Art Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - Monk and Vase, Year: 1980, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 165, HC, Image Size: 19 x 16 inches, Size: 27 in. x...
Lithograph
In His Garden, Pop Art Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) - In His Garden, Year: 1980, Medium: Lithograph, signed and dedicated in marker, Image Size: 18 x 23.5 inches, Size: 21.25 x 26.25 in. (53.9...
Lithograph
Peter Max -- Land of The Free, Home of The Brave
By Peter Max
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Peter Max Land of The Free, Home of The Brave, 2006 Mixed-media with acrylic painting and color lithography on paper. A unique work Hand signed in acrylic low right. Image size 58...
Mixed Media
London Arts Gallery Poster, Pop Art, Offset Print, 1970s, Unsigned
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original poster. Unsigned. Poster is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered.
Paper, Offset
Profile with Two Hearts, Acrylic Painting on Canvas, Signed, 2012
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by Peter Max. Canvas size 24 x 30 inches. Custom framed as pictured. White frame with linen matting and hand painted file...
Canvas, Acrylic
$571Sale Price|20% Off
Cosmic Profile, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Cosmic Profile Year: 2003 Edition: 451/500, plus proofs Medium: Lithograph on Lustro Saxony paper Size: 3.5 x 3 inches Condition: Excellent Inscriptio...
Lithograph
Red Vase, Hand Signed Lithograph, Pop Art, HC Edition, 1982, 21 x 30 inches
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. Published by AMX Art Ltd., NY and printed by A Nussbaum, NY. HC edit...
Paper, Lithograph
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Lady Profile, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Peter Max (1937) Title: Lady Profile Year: 1997 Medium: Pen and ink on archival paper Size: 13 x 14 inches Inscription: Hand signed PETER MAX (1937- ) Peter Max has achieved...
Ink