During the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, Peter Saul emerged as one of the most provocative artists to address the conflict through his work. His paintings from this period are characterized by their cartoonish, satirical approach, which blended grotesque humor with biting social commentary, vividly capturing the horrors and absurdities of war. Saul's work stood in sharp contrast to the minimalist and conceptual art trends of the time, employing day-glo colors and kaleidoscopic scenes to depict the brutalities and injustices of the war, thereby challenging viewers' complacency and urging them to confront the grim realities of the conflict.

One of Saul's notable works from this period, "Saigon" (1967), exemplifies his unique style and thematic concerns. The painting features exaggerated, cartoon-like figures in a war-torn environment, underscoring the grotesque nature of the conflict and the suffering it inflicted on the Vietnamese people. This piece, like many others by Saul, served as a "cold shower" to wake viewers up to the atrocities being committed in Vietnam, highlighting the artist's deep engagement with the political and social upheavals of his time​ (Smithsonian Magazine)​.

Saul's Vietnam War paintings were part of a broader movement in which artists grappled with the moral and ethical implications of the conflict. His works were displayed in significant exhibitions that sought to explore the impact of the war on American society and culture, such as the "Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965–1975" exhibition organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. These exhibitions showcased how artists like Saul, through their provocative and often controversial pieces, contributed to the national discourse on war, morality, and the role of art in society​ (New Museum)​​ (Artsmia)​.

As the war unfolded and its atrocities became more widely known, Saul continued to push the boundaries of his art to capture the essence of the conflict. His painting "Target Practice" (1968) is another significant work from this period, illustrating his relentless pursuit to critique and satirize the war through his art. Despite the challenges of conveying the war's horrors, Saul's imaginative and unflinching approach provided a stark commentary on the human cost of the conflict and the pervasive influence of military and political power​ (Artsmia)​.

Peter Saul's Vietnam War paintings remain powerful reminders of the capacity of art to confront and challenge the socio-political issues of its time. Through his distinctive style and uncompromising vision, Saul not only captured the essence of the Vietnam War era but also left an indelible mark on the history of American art, emphasizing the importance of artists' voices in times of turmoil and conflict.