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.
"Umbrella Man" Serigraph on Wove Paper by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition serigraph on wove paper (314 of 495) "Peter Max 2015" embossed seal in lower left Colors are very vibrant and bright Hand signed "Max" in pencil in lower right hand c...
Other
"Face and Sunset" Limited Edition Serigraph by Peter Max 1972
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
-Limited edition "Face and Sunset" serigraph -Colors are very vibrant and bright -Hand signed "Max" in pencil in lower right hand corner, numbered 21 of 100 in lower left -Professio...
Wood
Vintage 1960's Peter Max Psychedelic Pop Art Glass Bowl
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pop-art Peter Max glass bowl dating from the 1960's. Wonderful form and design. Signed on the inner surface. In excellent shape with no conditio...
Glass
Peter Max "Joy" Serigraph 1971 Limited Edition 63/100
By Peter Max
Located in Toledo, OH
"Joy" by Peter Max, 1971 Limited Edition. Signed lower right and numbered lower left 63/100 in pencil. Printed on Arches Paper, France. This colorful serigraph depicts the sun rising...
Paper
Signed Peter Max "Flag With Heart" Original Painting
By Peter Max
Located in West Hartford, CT
Celebrate the spirit of America with this original "Flag With Heart" painting by iconic Pop artist Peter Max. Signed on lower right and COA present.
Wood, Paint
"Visage" Limited Edition Neo-Expressionist Serigraph by Peter Max - 1977
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and hard to find vintage limited edition neo-expressionist serigraph entitled "Visage" by Peter Max, circa 1977. The piece is in very good condition and measures 30.25"...
Metal
$680Sale Price / item|20% Off
Heart Poster Signed by Peter Max & Andre Agassi
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage “Grand Slam for Children A Concert for Tomorrow” / Heart lithograph poster signed by Peter Max and tennis great, Andre Agassi, circa 1995. The concert was held at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, NV on September 30, 1995 and featured Elton John, Robin Williams, Kenny G, Michael Bolton...
Paper
$4,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Etchings by Peter Max V3 X and XI
By Peter Max
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of rare framed etchings by Peter Max (American b. 1937) V3 X and XI. In the manner of Picasso each color pencil signed lower ce...
Linen, Plexiglass, Giltwood, Paper
"Abstract Flowers I" Serigraph on Wove Paper by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
"Abstract Flowers I" serigraph on wove paper by Peter Max, circa 2017. The piece is a unique work with very vibrant and bright colors and is hand signed "Max" in lower right hand co...
Acrylic, Wood
"Toulouse-Lautrec" Collage Lithograph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool "Toulouse-Lautrec" collage lithograph by Peter Max, circa 1960s. The print is floating on a gold mat background and overall measures 16.75" x 21" (image is 9.75" x 15.75...
Paper
Peter Max Toulouse Lautrec 2 Signed Pop Art Retro Vintage Lithograph Poster 1967
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A psychedelic retro lithograph titled "Toulouse Lautrec 2" by iconic pop artist Peter Max. Hand signed in red felt tip marker on the mid bottom. Printed on premium paper and copyrigh...
Paper
$340Sale Price / item|20% Off
Peter Max Pop Art Ceramic Ashtray by Iroquois
By Peter Max, Iroquois
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool Peter Max pop art ceramic ashtray by Iroquois of Syracuse, NY, circa 1980s. There are three different ashtrays available; all are in excell...
Ceramic
1960's Rare Signed Psychedelic Peter Max Enamel Serving Pot
By Peter Max
Located in Redding, CT
1960's Rare Signed Pschedelic Peter Max Enamel Serving Pot. We are not sure of the pattern of this china. In a fabulous apple green enamel. We found out in research that in 1967, the...
Metal, Enamel
Original Acrylic Painting by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Water Mill, NY
Original acrylic on paper H32"x W28" Framed.. Given by Peter Max to a friend
Acrylic
Peter Max "Baloo Baba" Serigraph 1972 Limited Edition 222/300 Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Toledo, OH
Peter Max "Baloo Baba" serigraph limited edition 222/300. Signed in pencil. Blind stamp lower left.
Paper
Two Peter Max Op Pop Mod Disco Era Mens Wide Ties
By Peter Max
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two brightly colored ties in abstract design by Peter Max. On the wide side 4.75" at 54" long. Sold and labeled by famous mid west clothing store Hughes Hatcher Suffrin. Signed with ...
Silk
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
1998 Peter Max Signed Arizona Iced Tea Statue of Liberty Bottle Poster 38"
By Peter Max
Located in Dayton, OH
1998 poster advertisement print of a bottle of Arizona Iced Tea featuring artwork titled "Liberty" by Peter Max. Signed in marker, lower left. Wood & red plastic frame. Peter Max (...
Paper
$1,788Sale Price|34% Off
"Two Sages Looking at Sunrise" Serigraph by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition serigraph (65 of 495) "Peter Max 2017" embossed seal in lower left Colors are very vibrant and bright Hand signed "Max" in pencil in lower right hand corner Profe...
Other
Peter Max "Peace on Earth II" Mixed Media w/Acrylic Enhancement Patriotic Series
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
-Limited edition Peter Max "Peace on Earth II" mixed media with acrylic painting enhancements on a color lithograph -The art is hand signed by Peter Max in acrylic and the lithograph...
Acrylic, Paper
Modern Art Abstract Print of the Statue of Liberty by Peter Max Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous signed print by Peter Max. Framed, autographed. Signed
Metal
$700Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage "The Challenge" Poster by Peter Max Central Park Road Race, 1988
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "The Challenge" poster by Peter Max, circa 1988. The poster was for a 10K road race in Central Park, NYC to benefit special needs runners. The poster is...
Paper
$1,850
Peter Max Karma 50/100
By Peter Max
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Peter Max Original Karma 50/100 dated 1971. Paper Size is 30 x 22" and image size is 29 x21" tall. Nice condition with no fading or damage.
Paper
$425Sale Price|26% Off
Peter Max Pop Art Wristwatch
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool Petet Max wristwatch with leather band, circa 1988. Pop Art dial face with white acrylic bezel and a size "18" blue faux ostrich skin leather band. Hard to find and super...
Metal
"Angel with Sun on Blends" Unique Mixed Media in Acrylic by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Mixed media with acrylic painting and color lithography on paper from the Peter Max Studio, circa 2006. The piece is a unique work with very vibrant and bright colors and is hand si...
Acrylic, Wood
Peter Max Liberty Head II on Blends Signed Mixed Media on Paper Framed 2000s
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A contemporary mixed-media lithography with acrylic painting on paper titled "Liberty Head II on Blends" by famed artist Peter Max. Hand signed in acrylic by artist bottom right. Circa early 2000s. Honoring the country that Peter Max loves...
Paper
$1,220Sale Price|46% Off
Peter Max "Impressions of a Landscape" Serigraph Signed Original Frame COA
By Peter Max
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Art Acquisitions Of Peter Max " Impressions of a L...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage "South Coast Village" Poster by Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "South coast village, Santa Ana, California" poster by Peter Max, circa 1973. The poster announces the grand opening of the shopping center in Augu...
Paper
PAN AM 747 Original Vintage Airline Travel Poster PETER MAX
By Peter Max
Located in Chicago, IL
PAN AM 747 Rare authentic original vintage airline travel poster Artist: Peter Max Condition: A Dimensions: 28.5 x 42 in. / 72.4 x 106.7 cm. Circa: 1969 Linen Backed This fabulous P...
Paper
$10,500Sale Price|25% Off
Large Toulouse Lautrec by Peter Max in Peach Pink, Signed and Framed
By Peter Max
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the largest of the Toulouse Lautrec portraits by famed artist Peter Max in peach pink. Professionally framed, signed and numbered.
Paper
Peter Max Homage to Picasso Volume 5 Etching XX Modern Signed 1993 Framed
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Le Shoppe Too in Michigan is offering this modern inspired artwork titled Homage to Picasso Volume 5 Etching XX by Peter Max. Signed in pencil with an a...
Paper
Peter Max Signed “Summit of the Americas” Poster, 1994 Miami
By Peter Max
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A vibrant and collectible 1994 Summit of the Americas poster designed and hand-signed by iconic pop artist Peter Max. Created for the historic Miami gathering of Western Hemisphere l...
Paper
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Limited Edition Print by Peter Max "Dega Man"
By Peter Max
Located in Pasadena, TX
Limited edition print by Peter Max Dega Man 1990" Limited edition print : Serigraph on Paper Framed : 18 x 22.50 in Certificate of Authenticity.
Paper
Peter Max Signed Serigraph Collection – Framed with COA (Set of 3)
By Peter Max
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vibrant collection of three large serigraphs by the iconic pop artist Peter Max, each hand-signed in the bottom right and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. These limite...
Acrylic, Lacquer