Peter Max Typed Letter Signed 1971 To Sig Sakowicz Peter Max (born Peter Max Finkelstein, October 19, 1937) is an American artist known for using bright colors in his work. Works by Max are associated with the visual arts and culture of the 1960s, particularly psychedelic art and pop art. Early life and education: Peter Max was born in Berlin, the son of Salla and Jakob Finkelstein, German Jews. They fled Berlin in 1938, settling in Shanghai, China, where they lived for the next ten years. Peter’s time in Shanghai influenced much of his later work. He loved the colours and the “calligraphic ballet” that he witnessed daily at the Buddhist temple across the street from the family villa.