Peter Max, the US artist celebrated for his swirling, vivid pop art that came to define the optimism of the 1960s “flower power” era, has died. He was 88.
His family announced the death on Wednesday. In a written statement, his son Adam Max confirmed that Peter Max passed away on Monday, though no cause of death was provided.
Max’s instantly recognizable style featured bright colors and cosmic motifs, becoming a commercial powerhouse in America. His work was widely licensed and appeared on a diverse array of products, ranging from postage stamps to the exterior of a cruise ship.
Funny how we only notice pop artists when they pass. I’ll definitely go look up some prints now, sadly.
Does anyone know if his cosmic motifs influenced the later space-themed designs of the 70s? Seems like a direct lineage.
88 is a good run. He really captured that fleeting optimism of the flower power era perfectly in his own way.
That cruise ship detail is wild. I remember seeing photos of it in the 70s; it looked like a floating rainbow.
I always found his work a bit too much. Bright colors are nice, but it feels chaotic and overwhelming to me personally.
Wait, his art was literally on postage stamps? I had no idea his reach extended that far into mainstream commercial design.
RIP Peter Max. His neon swirls defined the 60s aesthetic for so many of us growing up. Such a vibrant legacy.