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Pedro Friedeberg Drawings

Mexican, b. 1936

The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg works in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blends influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He is best known for his Hand chair — a functional sculpture that is an icon of design-as-art.

Friedeberg was born in Florence to German parents and moved with his mother to Mexico at the outset of World War II. As a university student in Mexico City in the 1950s, he initially studied architecture, but his designs for fantastical buildings ran afoul of his rationalist, Bauhaus-oriented teachers.

By chance, Friedeberg’s drawings came to the attention of Mathias Goeritz, the German-born Dadaist painter and sculptor. He encouraged Friedeberg and made him a protégé. Friedeberg credits his mentor for instilling in him a fanatical attention to detail in his work. Friedeberg produced his first Hand chair in 1961, and has since created numerous iterations. He has also made several variants using other human limbs in different functional forms such as tables and clocks.

While Friedeberg’s sculptures have a gentle character that is sometimes described as spiritual, his paintings and prints are something entirely different. He employs deep perspective to create hypnotic, painstakingly rendered canvases that suggest rooms and cityscapes.

Whatever the medium, Friedeberg’s work is arresting and instantly recognizable. The Hand chair, though familiar, remains a captivating piece — both furniture and artwork — that stands apart in any interior. Examples are often priced between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on formal variations (such as a foot-shaped pedestal), material and condition. Smaller functional items such as tabletop clocks bring about $9,000. His paintings and drawings require space; they are meant to be contemplated. Prices on original examples start at about $30,000; prints generally sell in the region of $900.

As you will see on 1stDibs, the art and design of Pedro Friedeberg is singular and memorable.

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Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
1970s Modern Op Art Lithograph by Pedro Friedeberg Mexico
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Abstract Op Art Lithograph by Pedro Friedeberg A P 6/10 Midcentury Mexico Bright colors and Bold patterns offering up illusions and fantasy. O...
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1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Drawings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper

1970s Pedro Friedeberg Abstract Op Art Lithograph signed A. P. 6/10
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Abstract Op Art Lithograph by Pedro Friedeberg A P 6/10 Midcentury Mexico Bright colors bold patterns provide illusion and fantasy. Original Wood Frame with Gold Leaf. Signed i...
Category

1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Drawings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper

Framed Surrealistic Drawing by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, 1936-) Title:Le Tombeau D'Hemingway Year: 1963 Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper: Size: 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 plus 3 inch frame Mark: upper lef...
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1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Drawings

Materials

Paper

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Frank Dobson Modern Drawing Female Nude
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Pedro Friedeberg drawings for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg drawings are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Pedro Friedeberg drawings, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original drawings by Pedro Friedeberg were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider drawings by and Byron Gálvez. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg drawings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,500 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,750.

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