Peter Max, Jewish psychedelic pop artist and leader in 'flower power' movement, dies at 88

Peter Max, a prominent Jewish psychedelic pop artist known for his vibrant, cosmic works that defined the 1960s "flower power" movement, died on Monday in Manhattan at age 88. Born Peter Max Finkelstein in Berlin in 1937, he and his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany to Shanghai, then to the newly established State of Israel in 1948, where he lived for three and a half years and began painting lessons. Max credited his Jewish heritage and community experiences in Shanghai, Israel, and Brooklyn as formative influences, stating, "I think that my Jewish heritage shaped me as an artist most by the love and caring I got from the Jewish community." His art, characterized by surreal imagery and bold colors, became a defining visual signature of American popular culture, with themes often influenced by astronomy and peace. Max's connection to Israel also appeared in his work, including a series of portraits titled "36 Rabins." He is survived by his daughter, Libra, and son, Adam.