Artist: Peter Max
Title: Sunday Afternoon
Medium: Color Serigraph on Paper
Dimensions: 26" x 36.5"
Year: 1975
Edition: 30/75
Inscription: Signed "Max" on lower front
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Peter Max's "Sunday Afternoon" (1975) is a vivid example of the artist's visionary approach during the American Bicentennial era—a time when Max's work captured the imagination of a nation looking toward its past and future with equal fascination. This color serigraph, measuring 26 x 36.5 inches, is number 30 from a limited edition of just 75 and is hand-signed “Max" on the lower front. It includes a gallery certificate of authenticity.
In this work, Max weaves a dreamlike tableau filled with stylized figures, symbolic elements, and his signature use of bold, contrasting colors. A reclining figure rests atop a surreal, oversized flower that floats in an abstracted landscape. Figures in period clothing, from powdered wigs to polka-dotted uniforms, gather around in quiet contemplation or celebration, reinforcing the theatrical, almost cinematic quality of the scene. The bold orange sun setting (or rising) over reflective waters introduces a moment of stillness and transcendence—suggesting a pause in time that evokes both nostalgia and timelessness.
"Sunday Afternoon" reflects Max's unique fusion of Pop Art aesthetics with themes of peace, introspection, and cultural identity. Created in the same year as his celebrated Bicentennial series, this work offers a more intimate, lyrical vision than his overtly patriotic images from the period, yet it remains deeply tied to his broader artistic response to the spirit of 1970s America. It is also a strong example of Max's technique as a master printmaker, showcasing the layered precision and chromatic saturation that define his color serigraphs.
With its mix of psychedelic whimsy and historical reverence, "Sunday Afternoon" stands as a collectible highlight within Max's mid-1970s body of work. It serves as a captivating artifact of American Pop culture and an enduring symbol of his creative legacy.
About Peter Max
Peter Max is a renowned German-American artist whose colorful, imaginative work helped define the visual style of the late 20th century. Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin in 1937, he and his family fled Nazi Germany during World War II, living in Shanghai, Israel, and Paris before settling in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. These early experiences exposed Max to a range of global cultures and artistic traditions, particularly the vibrant colors and symbolism of Eastern art.
He studied under realist painter Frank J. Reilly at the Art Students League of New York, learning traditional techniques that would later underpin his more experimental work. In the 1960s, Max burst onto the art scene with a bold, instantly recognizable style rooted in psychedelic color palettes, cosmic themes, and Pop Art sensibilities. His work reflected the spirit of the era—optimistic, spiritual, and unbound by convention.
Max quickly became a cultural phenomenon. His art appeared on everything from posters and album covers to advertisements and postage stamps. In 1970, he appeared on the cover of Life magazine, a rare honor for a visual artist, affirming his place in American popular culture.
In 1975, Max created a series of works to commemorate the upcoming American Bicentennial, including "Sunday Afternoon" and "Peach Cinema", which exemplifies his vibrant color serigraph technique and his patriotic, dreamlike vision of America. These pieces merged his iconic imagery with a celebration of American identity, freedom, and unity—frequent themes throughout his career.
Over the years, Max has been commissioned to create art for major national and global events, including U.S. Presidential portraits, the Grammy Awards, and the Super Bowl. His work often draws on themes of peace, environmentalism, and cosmic consciousness, reflecting both his personal philosophy and the idealism of his generation.
In addition to his prolific artistic output, Max has long been involved in humanitarian and environmental causes, using his art to raise awareness and inspire action.
Today, Peter Max remains one of America's most celebrated pop artists. His vibrant, visionary style and his unique blend of patriotism, spirituality, and bold color have secured his place as a defining figure in American art history.
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