Peter Max (1937-) is an Jewish-American multimedia artist who specializes in pop culture art such as psychedelic posters and neo-expressionism. One of Max most famous works is his “Love” psychedelic poster created in the 1960s.
His early art influences are his mentor, the Austrian
expressionist Professor Honik, Fauvism, Henri Matisse, Max Beckmann, Maurice
Vlaminck and Alexi Jawlensky. From 1958-1962, he studied at the Art Students
League in Manhattan under the guidance of Frank Reilly. Max’s time at the Art
Students League is best characterized as his realism period.
While looking for a gallery that would exhibit his work, Max
left his paintings at a photo copy store to make prints. An art director at a record
company noticed his paintings and contacted him for a commission for an album
cover. The album cover enabled Max to win an award from the annual Society of
Illustrators and the start of an impressive career.
The mid 60s was a time of social upheaval and counterculture,
Max took inspiration of collage with elements of the Dadaists and surrealists.
He pioneered the usage of photography in kaleidoscopic patterns. It was also in
this time when Max saw innovation in four-color reproductions. He created a breakthrough
“split fountain” technique which allowed him to blend colors dissolving into
each other seamlessly into a lyrical harmony. His art of bold yet fluid organic
lines and vibrant colors resonated with young people for its visionary and ground-breaking
imagery. College students would
frequently hang his poster prints in their dorm rooms.
Max is perhaps the artist best associated for capturing the
spirit and essence of the 60s. Max’s art has such mass appeal that it was
licensed by 72 corporations and in a span of 3 years his products generated sales
over 1 billion dollars.
Other notable works of art are his paintings of American presidents, redesigning NBC’s iconic peacock logo, worked as the official artist for the 1994 World Cup, Superbowls, Grammy awards, painted “Peace Accord” for the White House, 365 Portrait paintings commemorating the heroic sacrifice of
9/11 firefighters, and recently 44 Obamas celebrating Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
Currently Max resides in New York City.
Currently Max resides in New York City.
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