Pop artist Peter Max was born in Berlin and came to the United States in the 1950s, when he was 19 years old. He probably couldn’t have imagined then he would have the honor of painting six U.S. Presidents — every man to hold the office since Gerald Ford.
Max gets around: Upon learning of his tradition of painting an image of Lady Liberty every July Fourth beginning in 1976, Nancy Reagan invited him to paint on the White House lawn on Independence Day 1981. In 1993, he presented Bill Clinton with 100 small-screen portraits at his inauguration. Most recently, he sent George H. W. Bush a portrait of his son, George W. Bush.
Max says he received a personal thank-you phone call from the elder Bush. He said, “ ‘Wow, its beautiful, thank you. I love it,’ ” Max recalls.
Max has already painted both Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, along with their wives, so whoever becomes the 44th chief executive, he’s covered.
Max will appear at two Wentworth Galleries locations Saturday to open his show POP to Patriotism and to sign and sketch copies of his book, “The Art of Peter Max.”
If you go
Peter Max: POP to Patriotism
Where: Wentworth Galleries — The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (noon to 2 p.m.); Tysons Galleria, 1731 M. International Drive, McLean (6 to 9 p.m.)
When: Saturday
Info: Free; 703-415-1166, 703-883-0111; wentworthgallery.com
