Nelson Mandela 1 2001

This is Peter Max’s portrait of Nelson Mandela, and it’s a real explosion of colour, all laid down with big, confident brushstrokes. It’s like Max is saying, “Here’s a man who lived in full colour, let’s paint him that way.” Look at the way he’s used the paint, thick and juicy, especially around the edges of the face. It’s almost like the paint is melting, running down the canvas, which gives the whole thing a real energy. You can practically feel Max moving around the canvas, attacking it with his brush. And the colours! The oranges, pinks and blues all crashing into each other, but somehow it works. There’s a real sense of optimism, of hope, in the way Max handles the paint. It reminds me a little of Milton Avery’s playfulness with colour, but with a pop-art twist. Max isn’t trying to give us a realistic portrait, he’s giving us a feeling, an impression of Mandela’s spirit. It's a real celebration of a life lived in the service of others.