Artist: Peter Max
Title: Love
Medium: Mixed Media on Paper
Paper Size: 18" x 11"
Framed Size: 23" x 21.5"
Year: 2008
Inscription: Signed "Max" on front; personalized note with drawing, date sold, and full “Peter Max" signature on back
Documentation: Includes original gallery certificate of authenticity from Peter Max, full record of provenance
Peter Max's "Love" (2008) is a striking example of the artist's enduring exploration of color, form, and symbolism. The composition is defined by a vivid, saturated field of pink and purple tones that frame a small central rectangle containing his iconic “Love" motif. Surrounding the inner imagery are swirling ribbons of color that extend outward, creating a sense of movement and energy characteristic of Max's psychedelic aesthetic.
What distinguishes this work from many of Max's other mixed media pieces is the significant amount of hand painting layered onto the composition. The surface features heavier brushstrokes and more substantial applications of paint, adding a pronounced texture and vibrancy that emphasize the dynamic qualities of the image. This painterly approach makes the work more tactile and unique within Max's larger body of mixed media works, offering collectors a rare example where the artist's hand is especially visible.
The piece bears Max's signature “Max" on the front, while the reverse includes a personalized note, a small drawing, the date sold, and a full “Peter Max" signature—details that add both historical and personal significance. Accompanied by its original gallery certificate of authenticity and complete provenance, "Love" stands as a distinctive work that embodies Peter Max's iconic visual language while also highlighting the individuality of his hand-painted practice.
About Peter Max
Peter Max (b. 1937) is a German-born American artist best known for his vibrant, colorful works that blend elements of Pop Art, Neo-Expressionism, and graphic design. Over the course of his career, Max has become associated with a distinctive visual style characterized by bold color palettes, cosmic imagery, and psychedelic forms, making him one of the most recognizable American artists of the late 20th century.
Max was born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin, Germany, in 1937. His family fled Nazi Germany shortly after his birth, spending time in Shanghai before emigrating to Haifa, Israel, in 1948. In Israel, Max developed an early interest in art and studied under local artists before moving to Paris in 1953. There he studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiere, where he was introduced to European modernism. In 1954, Max and his family relocated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York. He continued his studies at the Art Students League of New York, training in traditional painting techniques under artists such as Frank J. Reilly.
Max rose to prominence in the 1960s, when his work became closely associated with the counterculture movement. His posters, album covers, and illustrations, often featuring cosmic landscapes and psychedelic colors, became iconic images of the era. The 1968 “Love" poster and his cosmic-themed works gained wide popularity, linking his style with the emerging psychedelic art scene. During this period, he also produced commercial work, contributing to advertising campaigns and mass media projects that extended his reach to a broad audience.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Max expanded his practice to include large-scale paintings, sculptures, and commissioned works. He became known for portraits of American presidents and other public figures, as well as patriotic motifs such as the American flag and the Statue of Liberty. His 1976 bicentennial poster and his ongoing series celebrating American themes reinforced his reputation as a cultural figure whose art bridged commercial design and fine art.
Max's work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He has also been the subject of numerous retrospectives, and his art has been widely reproduced on posters, merchandise, and public installations.
Despite his commercial success, Max has at times been the subject of critical debate, with some art historians questioning the balance between his artistic contributions and his embrace of mass-market visibility. Nonetheless, his style remains emblematic of the American Pop Art era and continues to resonate with collectors and the public.
In recent years, Max's later career has been marked by health challenges and legal disputes surrounding the management of his art and business affairs. However, his legacy as one of the most recognizable American artists of the postwar period remains secure. His work continues to symbolize the intersection of popular culture, vibrant design, and the visual language of the late 20th century.
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