Peter Max Brooklyn Bridge Signed Mixed Media Original Painting Over Lithograph

Artist: Peter Max
Title: Brooklyn Bridge
Medium: Mixed Media on Paper, Original Painting on Lithograph
Size: 16" x 21", unframed
Year: 2018
Inscription: Signed "Max" on front
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity, label on verso
Peter Max Studio Registration number: Reg # 394142.0001 (408542)

In "Brooklyn Bridge" (2018), Peter Max revisits one of New York City's most enduring architectural landmarks through his signature chromatic intensity and expressive painterly intervention. The composition centers on the monumental Gothic arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, rendered in saturated turquoise and illuminated with radiant passages of yellow and orange. The structure rises against a vivid, atmospheric sky composed of magenta, violet, and electric blue, while gestural lines suggest the bridge's web of cables extending outward in dynamic perspective.

Executed as mixed media on paper, this work features an original painting applied over a lithographic base. The work reflects Max's long-standing practice of combining printmaking techniques with hand-painted embellishment. Broad brushstrokes, layered pigments, and areas of impasto animate the surface, creating a sense of movement and luminosity. The bold red border intensifies the composition's visual impact, framing the bridge as both civic monument and expressive symbol.

Throughout his career, Max has frequently depicted American icons, transforming them through a visual language rooted in Pop Art and the psychedelic aesthetics of the late twentieth century. In this work, the Brooklyn Bridge functions not only as a recognizable landmark but also as a vehicle for exploring color, light, and urban energy; Hallmarks of Max's enduring engagement with New York City as subject and inspiration.

About Peter Max

Peter Max (b. 1937) is a German-born American artist widely recognized for his contributions to contemporary art, Pop Art, and the visual culture of the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his bold color palettes, cosmic imagery, and graphic compositions, Peter Max became one of the most influential artists associated with the American counterculture movement. His work spans painting, mixed media, prints, posters, and large-scale public commissions, making him a prominent figure in both fine art and popular culture.

Born in Berlin in 1937, Max emigrated with his family to the United States after living in Shanghai and Israel during his childhood. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, where he developed a foundation in draftsmanship and composition. In the 1960s, Max rose to international prominence with psychedelic posters, album covers, and advertising campaigns characterized by vibrant color gradients, celestial motifs, and expressive line work. His imagery became synonymous with the era's optimism and experimentation, and he was frequently featured in major publications and media appearances.

Throughout his career, Peter Max has created artwork for six U.S. Presidents and produced numerous official commissions, including projects for the Statue of Liberty Centennial, the 1994 Winter Olympics, the World Cup, and various cultural institutions. His portraits of American presidents and celebrities, along with his reinterpretations of iconic symbols such as the American flag and the Statue of Liberty, have become defining elements of his later work.

Peter Max original paintings and limited edition prints are collected worldwide and have been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States and internationally. His work is represented in permanent collections including the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of Modern Art Library. As a prolific artist with a career spanning more than six decades, Peter Max remains a significant figure in contemporary American art, known for merging fine art, commercial design, and cultural iconography into a distinctive and enduring visual language.