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      Peter Max, 1937 – 2026

      Peter Max: The 23 Best-Known Paintings

      Of all Peter Max's paintings, Flag (1954) is the most famous. Close behind come Head large and Statue of Liberty. Among the 24 works by Peter Max in our catalogue, these 23 are the most celebrated, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.

      Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026.

      Portrait of Peter Max
      Peter Max · 1937 – 2026
      Born · died
      1937 – 2026, Berlin
      Movement
      Pop art
      Works in our catalogue
      24
      Most famous
      Flag (1954)

      Peter Max's 10 most celebrated paintings

      Flag (1954) by Peter Max
      1

      Flag

      1954 · Oil On Canvas

      Peter Max's Flag, painted in 1954, is far more than a simple representation of the Stars and Stripes. It’s a dynamic visual statement – a youthful reimagining of American identity at a moment of profound global transition. This artwork doesn’t just depict patriotism; it *interprets* it, offering a bold and enduring commentary that continues to captivate viewers.

      Head large by Peter Max
      2

      Head large

      Painting

      A woman’s face emerges from a field of saturated color. Yellow, blue, red, green, and orange collide upon her skin, mapping her features in a pop art language. Her eyes remain open, fixed and steady. A single large yellow star rests on the left, a sharp geometric interruption to the organic curves of her neck and hair. Polka dots drift through the composition like colorful debris in a dream. The…

      Statue of Liberty by Peter Max
      3

      Statue of Liberty

      Painting

      The artwork titled Statue of Liberty is a painting by the artist Peter Max. This piece features a depiction of the monument through a specific application of color and form. The subject matter focuses on the recognizable silhouette of the statue, rendered with a palette that includes reds, greens, blues, and yellows.

      Girl by Peter Max
      5

      Girl

      Peter Max's "Girl" is a captivating illustration that embodies the vibrant spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s psychedelic art movement. This artwork presents a beautiful woman as its central figure, enveloped within a dreamlike landscape teeming with fantastical elements. The piece isn’t merely a portrait; it's an immersive experience, drawing the viewer into a world of swirling patterns, bold colors, and imaginative forms.

      Peter Max paintings ranked 11 to 23

      What Peter Max painted most

      The four subjects that return most often on these canvases, each with its best-loved example.

      Year by year: Peter Max's most celebrated canvases

      One year, 1954, holds every dated canvas by Peter Max on this page: here they are, most famous first.

      1. 1954
        Flag (1954) by Peter Max
        1 of 23

        Flag

        Age 17

        Peter Max's Flag, painted in 1954, is far more than a simple representation of the Stars and Stripes. It’s a dynamic visual statement – a youthful reimagining of…

      Your questions on Peter Max's paintings, answered

      Which is the most celebrated painting by Peter Max?Read the answer

      Flag (1954), followed by Head large and Statue of Liberty.

      How old was Peter Max at the time of Flag?Read the answer

      Peter Max, born in 1937, was 17 years old: Flag dates from 1954.

      Which ten paintings is Peter Max most famous for?Read the answer

      Flag, Head large, Statue of Liberty, Runner, Girl, Liberty head, Statue of Liberty, Love, Posters and Untitled (648). Each canvas in the ranking above comes with its year and its museum.

      How many paintings by Peter Max are known?Read the answer

      24 works by Peter Max are in our catalogue.

      Which subjects return most often in Peter Max's paintings?Read the answer

      Retro design (3), Psychedelic (3) and Woman (2), across the 23 works on this page.

      What did Peter Max usually paint with?Read the answer

      Painting, used in 2 of the 23 works on this page.

      To which art movement does Peter Max belong?Read the answer

      Pop art, as the canvases on this page show.

      Peter Max: the painter's story

      A Journey Through Color and Culture

      Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin, Germany, the artist's early life was marked by significant movement. Following the shadows of Nazi Germany, his family sought refuge in Shanghai, China, in 1938. This period of immersion in Chinese culture, including the sights and traditions of Buddhist temples, left a lasting impression on his perspective. The family later moved to Haifa, Israel, in 1948, where Max began formal art training under Professor Hünik, a Viennese Expressionist. After a brief time in Paris, where he studied Fauvism at the Louvre, the family settled in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. He later refined his skills at the Art Students League of New York and the School of Visual Arts, studying anatomy and composition under Frank J. Reilly.

      Artistic Evolution and Iconic Imagery

      In 1962, Max co-founded The Daly & Max Studio in Manhattan, producing advertising art and illustrations that utilized antique photographic images. His work became synonymous with the 1960s, characterized by a style featuring vibrant colors, psychedelic imagery, and cosmic themes inspired by astronomy. He achieved mainstream popularity through the 1968 7-Up advertising campaign. His diverse portfolio includes:

      Max's subjects often included celestial imagery, floral motifs, and portraits of prominent figures, such as various U.S. presidents and Taylor Swift. He served as the official artist for major events, including the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl. Throughout his career, he remained a prolific creator, exploring various media and even designing livery for aircraft.