Composition Red & Green 1979

This print, "Composition Red & Green," was made by Peter Max using lithography, a technique where an image is drawn on a stone or metal plate and then printed. Max's style, with its vibrant colors and simplified forms, aligns with the Pop Art movement. The process of lithography allows for the mass production of images, making art more accessible and resonating with the consumer culture of the time. Consider the labor involved in creating a lithograph. Each color requires a separate plate and printing run, demanding precision and skill. The effect is a layered image with a hand-touched quality despite its mass-produced nature. By embracing this mode of production, Max blurs the lines between fine art and commercial design, challenging traditional notions of artistic value and reflecting the aesthetics of mass culture.