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.
$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
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
"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
"Stagecoach Crossing" Original Painting by Sheryl Bodily
By Sheryl Bodily
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Measures: 6" x 12" oil on board. Bodily received his early training from an uncle and furthered his artist education at Brigham Young University. Subjects rendered in oils include In...
Paint
$2,000
H 30 in W 30 in D 0.001 in
Large Midcentury Oversize Oil on Canvas Painting of Tigers by Peter Colby
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oil on canvas painting by artist Peter Colby. Large oversize canvas featuring two lions resting upon a patch of green grass. The background of this piece i...
Canvas, Paint
"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
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.75 in W 38.75 in D 2.5 in
Large MCM Abstract Acrylic Painting by Richard Mann
By Richard Mann
Located in San Diego, CA
Large MCM abstract acrylic on panel original painting by listed artist Richard Mann, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and is presente...
Acrylic, Wood
Australian Aboriginal Painting Tjukurla Country Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning abstract painting by Australian Aboriginal artist Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa (also known as Mrs. Bennett; 1935-2013). Entitled "Tjukurla Country", this work was acrylic on Be...
Canvas, Acrylic
$12,500
H 35 in W 29 in D 2 in
Original Space Artist Andreas Nottebohm Acrylic on Aluminum Painting KNM 1387
Located in Tustin, CA
Visionary, abstract original acrylic on aluminum painting by famous NASA Space Artist, Andreas Nottebohn, titled "KNM 1387" depicts a colorful, otherworldly scene on a shimmering sheet of scored metal. This incredible celestial painting frees the viewer from a one dimensional perspective by suggesting a vast and mysterious distance. Information on the back of the painting states, “KNM 1387 Spec 1 of 48 similar original paintings 1996 30 x 24 Acrylic on Aluminum”. Hand signed by the artist in the lower left corner. Very nicely custom framed in a transitional style black frame with wide silver inner lining. Framed, the painting measures approximately 35" high x 29" wide x 2" deep. Unframed painting measures approximately 30" high x 24" wide. One of the key innovators of metal painting, Nottebohm creates what might be called sculptures on a flat plane. By removing microscopic layers from the metal surface, he transforms the material into patterns of shimmering light. The unusual luminous quality of Nottebohm's work comes from the aluminum surfaces he scores, using a variety of manual and machine tools. Aluminum can create light and movement that you cannot create with anything else. It is similar to the sun reflecting on water, and you see one painting from one side and another painting from another side. East German born (1944) Andreas Nottebohm moved to Munich as a teenager and immigrated to the San Francisco Bay area of the United States in 1979, after touring the U.S. for a one man exhibition. While in Germany in the 1970s, he was one of the co-founders of the Society for Art and Science in Munich. Around the time he relocated to the United States, he was invited to participate in the NASA Art...
Aluminum
$2,527
H 32 in W 26.5 in D 1.25 in
Antique Veil of Veronica Engraving, in Polychrome, Large Gilded Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
A striking and deeply expressive antique devotional work, centered around a finely detailed engraving of the “Vera Icon”, the sacred veil bearing the face of Christ. The print itse...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$2,450
H 41 in W 30.25 in D 1.5 in
"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
Yankee Stadium, Original Painting by Lynn Curlee
By Lynn Curlee
Located in New York, NY
YANKEE STADIUM. Original painting by LYNN CURLEE Acrylic on stretched canvas. Gallery wrapped with painted edges. This painting was used as an illustr...
Acrylic
$2,950
H 25.5 in W 23.5 in D 2.75 in
"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
$2,400
H 48 in W 60 in D 1.5 in
Large Modern Abstract Oil Painting "Morning Glory" by Peter Caruso, NYC Artist
By Marcelo Caruso
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 60" x 48" modern abstract oil on canvas painting. "Morning Glory" by Peter Caruso, NYC Artist. Amazing use of color, texture, space, very cool 1970s vibe. Would enhance any mod...
Canvas, Paint
Sold
H 39 in W 33 in D 1 in
Peter Max God Bless America with Five Lady Liberty Figures Mixed Media Painting
By Peter Max
Located in New York, NY
Mixed media acrylic painting known as God Bless America with Five Liberties by Peter Max in its original plexiglass glazed wooden frame with linen matte and gold leaf finish. Frame ...
Paint, Paper
Sold
H 39.75 in W 33.75 in D 1.5 in
Peter Max Statue of Liberty Signed Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on Paper 2000s F
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A monumental patriotic mixed-media lithography with acrylic painting on paper titled “State of Liberty” by famed artist Peter Max. Hand signed in acrylic by artist top right. Circa early 2000s. Honoring the country that Peter Max loves...
Paper
Sold
H 38 in W 31.75 in D 1.5 in
Peter Max Land of Free Home of the Brave Signed Mixed Media Acrylic Painting '01
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A visually impactful patriotic mixed-media lithography with acrylic painting on paper titled “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” by famed artist Peter Max. Hand signed in acrylic b...
Paint
Sold
H 38 in W 31.75 in D 1.5 in
Peter Max God Bless America II Signed Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on Paper 2001
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A classic patriotic mixed-media lithography with acrylic painting on paper titled “God Bless America II” by famed artist Peter Max. Hand signed in...
Paper
Sold
H 98 in W 31.75 in D 1.5 in
Peter Max United We Stand Signed Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on Paper 2001
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A powerful patriotic mixed-media lithography with acrylic painting on paper titled “United We Stand” by famed artist Peter Max. Hand signed in acrylic by artist top right. Created in...
Paint
Peter Max Peace I Love the World Signed Mixed Media
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a marvelous retro inspired mixed media titled "Peace, I Love the World" by iconic pop artist, Peter Max. This mixed media wa...
Paper
Sold
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Unframed Star Catcher on Blends Peter Max Hand Signed
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration, is a mixed-media with acrylic painting and color lithograph on paper from the Peter Max Studio. Hand signed in acrylic by the artist. A unique variation. Size...
Paper
Sold
H 31 in W 37.5 in D 1.5 in
Contemporary Modern Framed Peter Max American Sunset Signed Acrylic Painting
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, framed acrylic painting, entitled "Sunset," signed by Peter Max. In excellent condition. The dimensions of the frame are 37.5" W x 31" H. Pe...
Paper
Sold
H 30.5 in W 33.5 in D 1.5 in
Contemporary Modern Framed Peter Max Flag with Heart Signed Mixed-Media
By Peter Max
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, framed mixed-media, entitled "Flag with Heart," signed, by Peter Max. In excellent condition. The dimensions of the frame are 35.5" W x 30.5" H...
Paint
Peter Max Pencil Signed Original Artist Proof "Palm Beach Lady, 1981
By Peter Max
Located in Kingston, NY
Offered is a rare Peter Max pencil signed original artist proof of "Palm beach Lady” dated 1981. This mixed media work on a lithographic print ...
Other
Peter Max Mixed-Media Enamel on Lithograph, 1996
By Peter Max
Located in Dallas, TX
Peter Max (American, b.1937) “gent on sofa” 1996 Overpaint signed “Max” (lower right). A unique variation. Peter Max studio stamp on verso. Excellent condition Measures: Artwork: ...
Paper
Peter Max "Lady on Red with Floating Vase" 'Signed and Numbered'
By Peter Max
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Lady on Red with Floating Vase" by Peter Max, signed and numbered edition of 300, published by Hanson Art Galleries, CA and printed by Karl & Gail, NY, 1988.
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper