Lot 240
Peter Max (American, b. Germany 1937). "Thank You George" from "Peter Max Paints America" color offset lithograph poster, 1976. Inscribed and hand-signed by artist. Created in conjunction with the artist's Bicentennial series "Peter Max Paints America", this 1976 poster celebrates George Washington through Max's instantly recognizable Pop-Art lens. A portrait of the first U.S. president emerges against a darkened background, his stoic visage overlaid with Max's signature arcs of vivid color - electric greens, magentas, yellows, and turquoise - transforming a national icon into a psychedelic symbol of modern American optimism. Inscribed personally by the artist, this example embodies Max's vibrant intersection of patriotism and counterculture aesthetics during the mid-1970s. Size of poster: 21.5" W x 30.5" H (54.6 cm x 77.5 cm); of frame: 23.5" W x 32.75" H (59.7 cm x 83.2 cm)
That same year, the project "Peter Max Paints America" was commissioned by the ASEA of Sweden to commemorate the United States Bicentennial, honoring the historic bonds of friendship between Sweden and the U.S. The series reflected Max's international acclaim and his role as an unofficial cultural ambassador of American creativity.
1976 also marked the beginning of Max's famed "Statue of Liberty" series, which later inspired his collaboration with Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca to help fund the statue's restoration. His bold, technicolor vision of Americana - once deemed too "psychedelic" for official use - became emblematic of a new era of American art that fused national identity with the energy of contemporary pop culture. Here, Washington's image is not only a portrait of the past but a reflection of Max's idealism: a colorful, inclusive vision of America viewed through the exuberant eyes of the 1970s.
About the artist: Born in Berlin, Peter Max moved frequently with his family, living in more than six countries until they settled in the United States. Max studied in New York City at the Art Students League, the Pratt Institute, and the School of Visual Art. Max has been revered as a visionary Pop Artist since the 1960's, beloved for his "Cosmic '60s" style which would later evolve to Neo Expressionism. Max developed a bold style of painting using striking Fauvist colors and intriguing themes. As he evolved from Pop to Neo-Expressionism, his work became more painterly and sensuous. Max's unique symbolism and vibrant color palette have continued to inspire new generations of Americans throughout the decades.
Provenance: ex-private collection, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA, collected from 2010 to 2015
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#198232
- Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom frame; has not been examined outside of glass. Some scuffs, foxing, and small stains to poster, but, imagery and inscription are still very clear. Hand-signed by artist and inscribed: "For Rod Brown it good to have you in town / Peter Max 1976." Suspension wire on verso for display.
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