Peter Max, the artist known for his iconic psychedelic pop art during the height of the 1960s “flower power” movement, died Monday at 88, his son confirmed Wednesday. Max had been suffering from advanced dementia. His cause of death was not given. “We will remember his extraordinary creativity, his warmth, his curiosity, and the way he saw beauty and possibility everywhere,” his son Adam Max wrote in the statement. Max was born in Berlin in 1937 to a Jewish family. His family fled Nazi Germany, living in places like Shanghai and Paris before ending up in New York City when he was 16. He rose to prominence in the 1960s, with his colorful, eye-popping designs becoming emblematic of the peace-promoting counterculture era. In one interview, he said, “I see everything through rainbow eyes.” After achieving mainstream success with his bold, bright style, the artist later befriended the Beatles, painted portraits of U.S. presidents, and served as an official artist for the Olympics and the Super Bowl, among other major milestones. “His art became part of American culture, but the man behind that art—the father we knew and loved—is the person we will miss most,” his son said.
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