Original Paintings by Peter Max to Sell at Art Showcase This April

Often described as a countercultural icon of the 1960s and 70s, German-American artist Peter Max has enjoyed a long and illustrious career. His works are often psychedelic and cheerful, imbued with bright colors and hopeful subjects. In Art Showcase’s upcoming Fine Art Auction, several original paintings by Peter Max will cross the auction block. The live sale will start on April 21, 2023 with online bidding available through Bidsquare.

Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin, the artist is the son of German Jews who fled Nazi rule for Shanghai in 1938. Max grew up with the colors and calligraphic techniques of Chinese art. Later moves to Haifa, Israel and Paris, France also nurtured Max’s interest in painting. This blossomed in the 1960s after Max attended art school and founded his own studio in Manhattan. At first, he worked in advertising and book sales. Max’s experience in commercial art later inspired designs for posters, magazine covers, and postage stamps. 

These endeavors brought Peter Max tremendous financial success. He created works for major events such as the U.S. Open tennis tournament and the World Cup. Many of his works are popular in corporate settings, and Max’s art can often be found and purchased through cruise ship auctions.

This sale from Art Showcase offers several original oil on canvas and mixed media pieces by Peter Max. Among them is a painting titled Without Borders, which comes to auction with an estimate of USD 75,000 to $80,000. The rainbow-toned piece shows the hazy outline of a boat floating along a river. In the sky above, an outsized sun dominates the scene. This piece will be sold with a custom frame and documentation.

Also on offer is an untitled acrylic on canvas painting depicting a rose-toned angel figure bearing flowered wings (lot #5176; estimate: $65,000 – $75,000). This work is hand-signed by the artist and comes with a certificate and official inventory number from the Peter Max Organization.

Peter Max’s Flower Blossom Lady, a mixed media on paper piece, will also be sold this April with Art Showcase (lot #5154; estimate: $12,000 – $14,000). It is offered with a certificate of authenticity and custom frame. Like many of Max’s works, this lot embraces unrestrained joy and bright colors. At the center of the composition, the outline of a woman is visible. 

This auction will present over 850 other paintings, prints, and multiples beyond those by Peter Max. This includes an original sculpture head by Jean-Michel Basquiat (lot #5364; estimate: $350,000 – $360,000), an original etching signed by Pablo Picasso (lot #5077; estimate: $28,000 – $29,000), and a limited edition artist print by Joan Miró (lot #5163; estimate: $42,000 – $45,000).

The upcoming Fine Art Auction at Art Showcase will begin at 2:45pm EDT on April 21, 2023. Interested collectors can view the complete catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare. Find more coverage of this auction on Auction Daily.