Four Seasons: Summer 

Peter Max made this painting, *Four Seasons: Summer*, with acrylic on canvas, a choice that reflects his accessible and bold style. The quickly applied strokes of acrylic imbue the work with a sense of spontaneity. Look at the bright yellows and oranges of the landscape. Their texture and vibrant color were easily attainable through industrial acrylic paints. Max embraced commercial techniques, with the rise of mass media, consumer culture, and the reproduction of images. This reflects a democratized art world, where distinctions between fine art and popular culture blur. He created a unique vision by integrating aspects of painting with commercial design. This speaks to the social context of the 1960s and 70s, a time when ideas about art’s role in everyday life were being challenged. By looking at the materials and making, we can fully appreciate the artwork’s meaning and legacy, challenging traditional boundaries between art and craft.