Sailboat with Heart (Rainbow Suite)
Mixed media painting on paper, framed under glass • Peter Max (American, b. 1937)
Style & Movement
Pop Art / Neo-Expressionism / Psychedelic Art
Medium & Technique
Acrylic painting and heavy impasto over a lithographic or silk-screened base. Features characteristic 'Max' thick-brush technique.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 10 inches (sight); 20 x 18 inches (framed). Vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A central vignette depicting a whimsical sailboat with a red heart on its sail, navigating waters near a green landmass under a vibrant rainbow. The central image is surrounded by a large hand-painted border in pink, blue, and purple, featuring the artist's iconic gestural signature at the bottom.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The colors remain vibrant; however, there is some minor surface glare and reflection due to the glass mounting.
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a gallery such as Park West Gallery or directly from the Peter Max studio, given the style and framing common in the 1990s retail art market.
Art Historical Significance
Peter Max is a defining figure of 1960s counterculture and Pop Art. This work represents his later 'Neo-Expressionist' phase where he revisited his early motifs with bolder, more aggressive brushwork and hand-painted unique variations on prints.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the large, multi-colored impasto signature at the base, which is a signature element of Max's unique-on-paper series.
Condition Issues
Visible reflection in the glass suggests a lack of anti-reflective coating. Minor potential for yellowing of the paper if not UV-protected, though colors appear well-preserved.
Conservation Recommendations
Switch to Museum Glass (UV protection) to prevent fading of the bright pigments. Ensure the mount is acid-free to prevent foxing or paper burns over time.