Psychedelic Pop Artist Peter Max Dies at 88

Peter Max, the German-born American artist whose vivid, psychedelic designs became synonymous with the optimism of the 1960s, has died at 88. His son, Adam Max, said he died Monday, Sept. 14, without providing a cause. Max’s prolific work appeared on posters, postage stamps, a Boeing 777, a cruise ship and major cultural and sporting events, including the 1994 World Cup, the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the World Series. He also created portraits of figures ranging from U.S. presidents and Nelson Mandela to Taylor Swift, and was especially known for his recurring images of the Statue of Liberty and space. Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin in 1937, he fled Nazi Germany with his family as an infant and later lived in Shanghai, Tibet, Israel and Paris before settling in New York. Max was also a prominent animal-rights advocate whose efforts included helping secure sanctuary for a runaway slaughterhouse cow and creating artwork to benefit animal-protection groups.