Born in Berlin in 1937, Peter Max escaped the Nazi regime with his family, embarking on a global childhood journey through Shanghai, Tibet, India, Africa, and Israel before settling in Brooklyn in 1953. He received classical training at the Art Students League of New York under realist Frank J. Reilly, but quickly shifted toward the commercial art world upon graduating. Max exploded into the cultural consciousness during the 1960s, pioneering vibrant, psychedelic posters, album covers, and merchandise that defined the Woodstock generation's visual aesthetic. By his late twenties, he was a massive media sensation, appearing on late-night talk shows and the cover of LIFE magazine. Seeking a artistic evolution, Max paused his commercial design work in 1970 to focus on easel painting. This shift transitioned his work from graphic Pop art to a brushier, Neo-Expressionist style he coined "Neo-Fauvism." Over his decades-long career, Max became a premier celebrity painter, creating official artwork for major global events like the Olympics, the World Cup, the Grammys, and five Super Bowls. Deeply patriotic, the immigrant artist is globally celebrated for his vibrant portraits of six U.S. presidents and his iconic, recurring interpretations of the Statue of Liberty.