Peter Max Signed Heart Mixed Media Original Painting over Lithograph

Artist: Peter Max
Title: Love
Medium: Mixed Media on Paper
Size: 36" x 24"
Year: 2008
Inscription: Signed "Max" on front
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity, label on verso
Peter Max Studio Registration: # 225509 (184286-0006)

Peter Max's, "Love", (2008) is a vivid example of the artist's iconic visual language, bringing together expressive color, emotional symbolism, and the exuberant optimism for which Max is internationally recognized. The work captures a thematic core central to Max's late twentieth and early twenty-first century practice: art as a vehicle for joy, connection, and uplifting emotional energy. "Love" reflects the continued resonance of Max's Pop-infused aesthetic, which has remained influential since his rise to prominence in the 1960s.

Within the composition, a bold red heart functions as the central focal point. This symbolic form is set within a rectangular field, drawing the viewer inward before the surrounding elements expand outward in sweeping movement. Radiating from the heart are passages of purple, blue, orange, and pink that stretch across the paper in painterly swaths. The visual impression is one of motion and vibrancy, a hallmark of Max's psychedelic palette and fluid brushwork. The hand-painted layers are especially prominent in this example, which features textured applications of color that emphasize gesture and movement.

The work measures 36 by 24 inches and is executed as mixed media on paper. It is signed "Max" on the front and is formally registered under Peter Max Studio Registration Number 225509 (184286-0006). The piece includes a gallery certificate of authenticity along with a label on the verso, ensuring documented provenance. The gallery photographs may show framing that is intended only as presentation inspiration, and the work may not be framed as pictured. Collectors are encouraged to contact the gallery with any questions regarding current framing or display.

"Love" stands as a dynamic example of Peter Max's enduring contribution to contemporary American art. Defined by its central heart motif, expressive chromatic range, and emotional resonance, the work offers a compelling representation of Max's commitment to art as a celebration of positivity and human connection.

About Peter Max

Peter Max (born October 19, 1937, Berlin, Germany) is a German born American artist whose work has played a defining role in shaping the visual identity of postwar American culture. Widely associated with the vibrant aesthetics of the 1960s, Max is known for his bold use of color, cosmic imagery, and synthesis of fine art traditions with popular culture. His career spans more than six decades and encompasses painting, printmaking, sculpture, and public art.

Max's early life was marked by geographic and cultural movement that would later inform his expansive visual language. After leaving Germany during World War II, his family lived in Shanghai, where Max was exposed to Eastern philosophy, calligraphy, and symbolism. They later relocated to Israel, where he studied painting in Haifa before continuing his formal training in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiere. In 1958, Max moved to New York City, immersing himself in the city's dynamic postwar art scene.

During the 1960s, Peter Max emerged as a prominent figure within the counterculture movement. His imagery, characterized by radiant color fields, flowing contours, and celestial motifs, became emblematic of an era defined by experimentation, idealism, and social change. While often associated with Pop Art, Max's work diverges from the movement's ironic stance, instead embracing themes of spirituality, imagination, and transcendence.

Throughout his career, Max has worked primarily in acrylic paint, a medium well suited to his saturated palette and layered compositions. His paintings frequently feature abstracted figures, symbolic portraits, and reinterpretations of cultural icons. Notably, Max's repeated engagement with the Statue of Liberty reflects his interest in American identity and democratic ideals, viewed through a personal and expressive lens.

In addition to his studio practice, Peter Max has completed numerous commissions and large scale public works. His art has been exhibited internationally and is held in major museum and private collections. Max's influence extends beyond traditional gallery spaces, as his work has appeared across media, reinforcing his role in bridging fine art and popular visual culture.

Peter Max remains a significant figure in contemporary American art. His enduring appeal lies in his ability to communicate optimism and creative freedom through a highly recognizable visual language, securing his legacy as one of the most influential artists of his generation.