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 Original Painting on Canvas 2017 with COA from Park West
By Peter Max
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Peter Max Vase of Flowers Series XVII Ver. VII #345 2017 21 1/4 x 17 inches Acrylic painting on canvas Hand signed in upper left by the artist Unique one of a kind work of art
Canvas, Acrylic
Profile with Doves, Pop Art Acrylic Painting on Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Profile with Doves by Peter Max, German/American (1937) Portfolio: Woodstock Series Date: 2006 Mixed Media with Acrylic on Lithograph, signed Size: 10 x 8 in. (25.4 x 20.32 cm) Frame...
Acrylic, Lithograph
$23,000Sale Price|20% Off
Sage Abstract (Custom framed original painting)
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
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
WITHOUT BORDERS
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by the artist. Canvas size 10 x 10 inches. Custom framed in white with hand painted fillet. Frame size approx 19 x 19 inches. ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Portrait of Dr. Burger, the Diet Doctor, v. 2, by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Portrait of Dr. Burger, the Diet Doctor, v. 2 Year: 1991 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed upper right and signed, dated, and numb...
Acrylic
$9,500
Lady and Sailboat V. II No. 1 - Watercolor & Ink Psychedelic Art by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Lady and Sailboat version II #1 Year: circa 1995 Medium: Ink and Watercolor, signed u.l. Size: 15 in. x 18 in. (38.1 cm x 45.72 c...
Ink, Watercolor
Woman Seated, Pop Art Lithograph with Hand-Painting by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Woman Seated Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph with extensive Hand-painting, signed and dated in paint, dedicated to Carolyn Size: 25 ...
Acrylic, Lithograph
Peter Max -- Snow White
By Peter Max
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Peter Max Snow White, 1994 Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand signed on the front. Studio catalogue number and date on verso. Studio catalogue number on the edge Size 41 x 3...
Acrylic
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Liberty Head (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$23,600Sale Price|20% Off
Brown Lady (custom framed original painting)
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
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
Umbrella Man (original mixed media and watercolor)
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size approx 18 x 20 inches. Artwork size 12 x 13.75 inches...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$2,962Sale Price|25% Off
Sailboat With Hearts On Blends (unique mixed media on paper)
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. Artwork size: 16 x 12 inches. Frame size...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
Cosmic Flyer (original mixed media and watercolor)
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size 18.25 x 22.25 inches. Artwork size 11 x 15 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. ...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$36,000Sale Price|20% Off
ANGEL
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed on front by the artist. Studio stamp on verso. Custom framed with hand painted fillet. Canvas size 40 x 30 inches. Framed size approx 49 ...
Canvas, Acrylic
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
$3,712Sale Price|25% Off
Cosmic Profile (Original Mixed Media)
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media on paper. Hand signed and dated on front by Peter Max. Frame size approx 22 x 28.5 inches. Artwork size 11.6 x 18.4 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition...
Paper, Mixed Media
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
Guru (original mixed media and watercolor)
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size approx 21 x 19.25 inches. Artwork size 13.75 x 12 inch...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$2,962Sale Price|25% Off
The Faure (unique mixed media on paper)
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 approx 21 x 17 inches. Artwor...
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Blushing Beauty (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
SAILBOAT SUNRISE
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size approx 20 x 18 inches. Artwork size 13.75 x 12 inches. Artwork is in excellent conditi...
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Sailboat I (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Statue of Liberty (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Love (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
STILL LIFE WITH PROFILE
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand-signed in acrylic on front by Peter Max. Canvas is stretched. Peter Max studio catalog number and year on verso. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Peter Max (American, born 1937) is a German artist known for his unique brand of rainbow-hued prints and paintings, which he has created since the early 1960s. Employing painterly strokes, his illustrations incorporate a wide spectrum of colors and patterns as seen in his Umbrella Man series. “I'm just wowed by the universe. I'm just glad to do something I love...
Canvas, Acrylic
$10,400Sale Price|20% Off
SAGE
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed and dated on front by the artist. Custom framed with hand painted fillet. Canvas size 10 x 14 in. Framed size approx 19.25 x 23.5 in. Art...
Canvas, Acrylic
$11,264Sale Price|20% Off
PINK SKY
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original painting on canvas. Hand signed and dated on front by the artist. Stretched. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offer...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Still Life - Abstract Series (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
UMBRELLA MAN
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size approx 17 x 21 inches. Artwork size 11 x 15 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition....
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$3,375Sale Price|25% Off
COSMIC PROFILE
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original mixed media drawing with watercolor on paper. Hand signed by Peter Max. Frame size approx 17 x 21 inches. Artwork size 11 x 15 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition....
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cosmic Runner (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Day Dream (unique mixed media on paper)
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
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
Statue Overpaint (unique mixed media on paper)
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
Price Upon Request
Grammy, Pop Art painting by Peter Max 1991
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max Title: Grammy Year: 1991 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed upper right, with Max studio verso Size: 60 x 48 inches (152.4 x 121.92 cm) Frame: 63 x 51 inches Max wa...
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Neo Head, Large Peter Max painting 1994
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max Title: Neo Head Year: 1994 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 72 x 60 inches (frame larger)
Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Zero Megalopolis
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max Title: Zero Megalopolis Year: 1989 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed u.r. and studio stamp verso Size: 60 x 60 inches Frame: 67 x 67 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Zero In Purple
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max Title: Zero In Purple Year: 1994 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed u.r. and studio stamp verso Size: 60 x 48 inches
Canvas, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Zero Series Version 3, No. 2
By Peter Max
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Peter Max, German/American (1937 - ) Title: Zero Series Version 3, No. 2 Year: 1994 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, signed upper right Size: 24 x 18 in. (60.96 x 45.72 cm) Frame S...
Canvas, Acrylic