Artist: Peter Max
Title: Blushing Beauty - Version II, Number 31
Medium: Original Mixed Media Painting on Paper
Dimensions: 16" x 12"
Year: 1995
Inscription: Signed "Max" on the front
Documentation: Includes Peter Max studio label with Studio number on back and confirmation of Studio Number from Peter Max Studio
Peter Max's "Blushing Beauty - Ver II, Number 31" captures the artist's enduring fascination with radiant color and expressive form. Painted in 1995, this original acrylic on paper exemplifies Max's unmistakable style through its saturated palette of violets, aquas, yellows, greens, and fiery reds. The composition depicts a stylized profile of a blushing beauty, her features animated by sweeping, heavy brushstrokes that pulse with rhythm and vitality. Both playful and iconic, the subject resonates with Max's ability to merge figuration with abstraction in a way that feels at once personal and universal.
The boldness of the brushwork lends the work a sense of immediacy, while the layering of luminous tones creates visual depth and energy. Max transforms the simplicity of contour lines into a dynamic portrait suffused with optimism and character, an embodiment of his Pop-infused vision.
This work is further enhanced by its extensive documentation. A Peter Max studio label with the Studio number is affixed to the verso, and official confirmation of this Studio number from the Peter Max Studio accompanies the piece, ensuring authenticity and provenance.
A vibrant and striking example of Peter Max's celebrated portraiture, "Blushing Beauty - Ver II, Number 31" highlights the artist's mastery of color and brushwork while offering collectors a rare work backed by thorough documentation and gallery labeling.
About Peter Max
Peter Max is an American artist widely recognized for his contributions to the Pop Art movement and his vibrant use of color and symbolism. Born in Berlin in 1937, Max emigrated with his family to Shanghai at a young age, later relocating to Israel, France, and finally the United States. This multicultural upbringing exposed him to diverse artistic traditions, which would later inform his eclectic visual language.
Max studied at the Art Students League of New York, where he was trained in classical techniques before moving toward a more experimental, graphic style. His work gained prominence in the 1960s, a period when Pop Art was reshaping the boundaries between fine art, commercial imagery, and popular culture. Max became known for his bold, psychedelic compositions that combined cosmic imagery, abstract forms, and a striking palette of saturated colors. These works resonated with the countercultural spirit of the decade and established him as one of the most recognizable visual artists of the era.
A hallmark of Max's career has been his recurring use of symbolic motifs. Elements such as cosmic landscapes, celestial bodies, doves, and the “Umbrella Man" figure appear throughout his paintings, prints, and sculptures. These repeated images reflect his interest in universal themes of peace, spirituality, and human connection. Max's distinctive style extended beyond the canvas, with his imagery appearing on posters, postage stamps, album covers, and other media, further blurring the line between commercial art and fine art.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Max continued to expand his practice, producing large-scale works and engaging in numerous public commissions. He created official artwork for events such as the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and the Olympics, further embedding his work in American visual culture. His art was also collected and exhibited internationally, cementing his reputation as one of the leading figures of late 20th-century American art.
In addition to his artistic output, Max became known for his advocacy of environmental and humanitarian causes. His imagery was frequently employed in campaigns promoting peace, conservation, and social awareness. These projects reinforced his identity as an artist deeply engaged with both contemporary culture and broader global issues.
Today, Peter Max's legacy is defined by his ability to merge popular culture with fine art through a distinctive visual style that remains instantly recognizable. His works are included in the collections of major institutions and continue to appear in exhibitions worldwide. For collectors, Max's paintings, prints, and sculptures are sought after for their bold aesthetic, iconic symbolism, and historical significance within the broader trajectory of Pop Art.
Through his integration of vibrant color, recurring symbolic imagery, and engagement with both commercial and fine art contexts, Peter Max has secured a lasting place in the history of American art.