Peter Max World Cup 1994 Signed Mixed Media Hand Painted Lithograph

Artist: Peter Max
Title: World Cup '94
Medium: Mixed Media with Original Acrylic Painting on Lithograph
Dimensions: 36" x 24"
Year: 1994
Inscription: Titled "World Cup '94" and signed "Max" on front
Documentation: Includes a certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact

Situated at the intersection of Pop Art aesthetics and commercial visual culture, World Cup '94 by Peter Max translates the spectacle of international sport into the artist's signature chromatic and symbolic language. The work is based on a printed lithographic foundation that has been further developed with original acrylic painting, resulting in a layered surface that combines mechanical reproduction with direct painterly intervention. This hybrid process is characteristic of Max's late twentieth-century production, in which editioned prints frequently served as a substrate for individualized embellishment.

The composition presents a dynamic, stylized depiction of a soccer player suspended in midair during a bicycle kick, set against a vividly chromatic, atmospheric field of color. The background transitions from deep turquoise at the upper register into warm gradients of orange and yellow below, creating a sense of spatial buoyancy rather than linear perspective. Floating star forms, planetary motifs, and gestural arcs populate the pictorial field, reinforcing the artist's signature cosmic visual vocabulary.

The work is titled World Cup '94, signed "Max" on the front, and measures 36 x 24 inches. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Modern Artifact. Situated within Max's extensive body of sports-themed imagery, the piece reflects his characteristic synthesis of pop cultural iconography, vibrant color theory, and energetic compositional structure, reinforcing his role in shaping a recognizable visual language within late twentieth-century American Pop Art and commercial fine art production.

About Peter Max

Peter Max (born 1937) is a German-born American artist whose vibrant use of color and distinctive visual language helped define the aesthetic of American Pop Art in the latter half of the twentieth century. Known for his bold compositions, cosmic imagery, and expressive treatment of iconic cultural subjects, Max has remained one of the most recognizable and commercially successful contemporary artists for more than five decades.

Born in Berlin, Germany, Max spent portions of his childhood in China, Israel, and France before immigrating to the United States with his family in 1953. Settling in New York, he studied at the Art Students League and developed an artistic practice that drew from a diverse range of influences, including European modernism, Abstract Expressionism, commercial illustration, and popular culture. By the 1960s, his brightly colored imagery and graphic compositions had become closely associated with the visual culture of the era.

Max rose to national prominence during the late 1960s, when his artwork became synonymous with the optimism, experimentation, and cultural transformation of the period. His compositions often feature vivid color gradients, celestial motifs, symbolic figures, and reimagined portraits of historical and cultural icons. While frequently associated with the Pop Art movement, his work incorporates elements of Surrealism, Neo-Expressionism, and graphic design, resulting in a style that is uniquely his own.

Throughout his career, Max has created paintings, prints, sculptures, and mixed-media works that have been exhibited internationally and collected by both private and institutional audiences. His artwork has appeared in museums, galleries, and public spaces around the world, and he has received commissions for numerous high-profile projects involving national landmarks, sporting events, and cultural institutions. His interpretations of subjects such as the Statue of Liberty, the American flag, and notable public figures have become enduring themes within his body of work.

Today, Peter Max is recognized as one of the most influential figures in contemporary American art. His distinctive use of color, energetic compositions, and ability to bridge fine art and popular culture have secured his place within the broader history of postwar American art. As interest in Pop Art and contemporary printmaking continues to grow, Max's paintings and limited-edition works remain widely collected and celebrated for their visual impact and cultural significance.