The sculptor and painter Pedro Friedeberg worked in a richly detailed, Surrealist and eccentric artistic style that blended influences from neoclassical art, M.C. Escher and native Mesoamerican symbolism. He was 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.
Multiverso Giclée Print, Surrealist, Signed, 21st Century, Framed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Multiverso by Pedro Friedeberg is a remarkable exploration of symmetry, illusion, and architectural imagination. The piece is composed of six interconnected chambers, each rendered w...
Giclée
Teatro Cósmico Giclée Print, Abstract Geometric, Framed, 21st Century
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
Teatro Cosmico is unique because it blends the mathematical rigor of Op Art with the playful, eccentric spirit of Surrealism that defines Mexican master Pedro Friedeberg's work. He i...
Giclée
$526
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 0.04 in
Hand Painted X-Large-Gladiolus Glorious-British Awarded Artist-Limited Edition#8
Located in London, GB
This rare X-large Limited Edition is 80% hand painted and highlighted with original paint and brushstrokes painted by artist Shizico Yi. Only 10 Limited Edition has been made, last ...
Gesso, Archival Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Giclée
$539
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.2 in
Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night-Hand painted No 2 Limited Edition of Ten
Located in London, GB
This striking large hand painted limited Edition is No. 2 of only 10 in existence. 90% of the painting is hand-painted in oil and gesso on giclee by Shizico Yi, the edition featuring...
Gesso, Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Giclée
$323
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted One of One Artist's Proof-Sunset Song Blue -British Awarded Artist
Located in London, GB
This one of one unique Artist's proof is 80% hand painted by artist Shizico Yi on Giclee made on Aluminium, the original paints are hand mixed by the artist. It is the only hand pai...
Metal
$377
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted Proof, One off-Jardin d'Automne-British Awarded Artist-gladiolus
Located in London, GB
This is an One of One artits's Proof, hand painted by the artist Shizico with her hand mixed original paint. Rare Proof only one, highly collectable within an attractive offer. Abo...
Metal
$782
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.04 in
Hand painted Proof-Summer Bloom in the Night-British Awarded Artist-Goldleaf Oil
Located in London, GB
This is a large hand painted Artist's Proof, (oil and gold leaf on Giclee), it's the only one proof of this image, 90 % of the proof is hand painted by the artist, Shizico Yi; its o...
Gold Leaf
$350
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted one off Proof-Jardin d'Automne-British Awarded Artist-Dahlia in Red
Located in London, GB
This is an one-off Artist's Proof of One of One, 80% of the painting is hand painted by the artist Shizico Yi on Giclee made with premium aluminium. Highly Collectable at an attract...
Metal
$404
H 13.78 in W 11.03 in D 0.2 in
Poppy on ink - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Poppy on Ink' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. Print...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
"Sullivan Mandalas"
By John Welwyn Clark
Located in Chicago, IL
Suite of four giclee prints on canvas, hand painted by the artist, in homage to Architect Louis Sullivan's architectural details. Size: 48" x 48" Each painting is 24" x 24" About the artist: John Welwyn Clark pursues painting as a means to explore themes related to architecture and design. He is especially interested in work that unites the concerns of various disciplines. At a time when so much process is becoming computerized, he considers painting especially important because it deals directly with form, harmony, color and theme: freely, and independently of technical demands. Clark has won national design and design/build competitions. He has been recognized for his architectural work for a series of innovative projects, which recently includes master planning projects in China. He has designed a broad range of projects from large-scale municipal, institutional and educational facilities to high-rise, multi-use office...
Acrylic, Giclée
WATCHING OVER YOU
By Arbe Ara Berberyan
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand embellished giclee on canvas with gold leaf. Hand signed and numbered. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be c...
Gold Leaf
$1,397
H 49.22 in W 49.22 in D 0.2 in
Dahlia on Ink - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. Prin...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$1,397
H 49.22 in W 39.38 in D 0.2 in
Dahlia on Ink No.3 - floral film photography in composition with ink abstraction
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Dahlia on Ink #3' 2023 Black and white floral film photography combination with ink painting. Made using a large format 4x5 film camera, developed in the studio by the artist. P...
Photographic Film, Ink, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$2,900
H 29.5 in W 23.5 in D 1 in
"Cubist Bouquet, Strange Vase" Warm-Toned Abstract Cubist Floral Still Life
Located in Houston, TX
Warm toned modern cubist abstract still life enhanced giclee painting by Houston, TX artist David Adickes. The work features yellow and red flowers in an abstracted face shaped vase. Signed by the artist in the front upper right corner. Currently hung in a beautiful gold frame. Dimensions Without Frame: H 23.5 in. x W 17.5 in. Artist Biography: Born (1927) and raised in Huntsville, TX, David Adickes is an artist whose art and heart are closely aligned with Paris, France. After studying art at the Atelier F. Leger in the late 40s, Adickes burst onto the art scene in Houston and elsewhere in the early 50s and has been a prominent member of Houston’s art community ever since. While his most visible works are his giant sculptures, from the Virtuoso in downtown Houston...
Acrylic, Giclée
Sold
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in
El Hipopótamo from the book "La Jungla" Sonetos de Guadalupe Amor
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
The Hippopotamus Pedro Friedeberg Original Ink on paper. This image belongs to the book "La Jungla" (The Jungle) sonnets by Guadalupe Amor. With Certificate of Authenticity from th...
Paper, Ink
Decapitaciones Trantamorficas
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
"TRANTAMORPHIC BEHEADINGS" Pedro Friedeberg Original Mixed media on paper. Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines colors a...
Mixed Media, Paper
Siluetas Peligrosas
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
"DANGEROUS SILHOUETTES" Mixed media on Museum board. Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines colors and ancient and religi...
Mixed Media, Illustration Board
Capilla Particular
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
"PARTICULAR CHAPEL" Mixed media on Museum board. Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines colors and ancient and religious ...
Mixed Media, Illustration Board
Salón de los Espejos Negros
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
"BLACK MIRRORS HALL" Mixed media on Museum board. Pedro Friedeberg is a Mexican artist and designer known for his surrealist work filled with lines colors and ancient and religious...
Mixed Media, Illustration Board
Sold
H 25.5 in W 25.5 in D 0.5 in
"Four Acrobats in Six Positions" Geometric Surrealist Print Edition 1 of 50
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Houston, TX
Geometric patterns with diamonds and other shapes. Painting consist of red figures that appear to be standing on chairs or hanging off of them. Print is the 1st edition of 50 prints. Artist signed the print in to bottom right corner. Print is framed in a gold frame with a cream matte. Artist Biography: Pedro Friedenberg is a Mexican artist known for his surrealist works that consist of ancient and religious symbols. He was born in Florence, Italy and escaped Europe at the beginning of the Second World War. He designed sculptural furniture in the shape of hands and feet. Friederberg studied as an architect but instead began to draw and designs surrealist inspired works. His work caught the attention of artist Mathias Goeritz who encouraged him to continue as an artist. Friedeberg became part of a group of surrealist artists in Mexico which included Leonora Carrington and Alice Rahon...
Lithograph
Composition with pyramids
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Greenwich, CT
original painting by surrealist Mexican Artist Pedro Friedeberg (b. 1936) Date : circa 1960's Year: 1969 Medium: oil, pen and ink on board Size: 15 x 15 inches ( 21 x 21 in. w. frame...
Ink, Oil
Sold
H 14.5 in W 15.5 in
Surrealist Architectural Fantasy Painting "Un Domingo En Gibraltar"
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Surfside, FL
Fish floating in a Piranesi or Fornasetti inspired landscape. In original Ziggurat black cloth frame. Pedro Friedeberg was born in Florence, Italy, 1936, to German-Jewish parents, H...
Surrealist Architectural Fantasy Painting "RSVP"
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Surfside, FL
"SOS" "RSVP" "QED" "Los Ignorantes..." in original Ziggurat black cloth frame. Pedro Friedeberg was born in Florence, Italy, 1936, to German-Jewish parents, He arrived in Mexico at...
Sold
H 26 in W 26 in
"Aviones Musicales" Surrealist Fantasy Painting in gilded Ziggurat frame
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Surfside, FL
Musical Butterfly Airplanes. ("Aviones Musicales Sobrevolando Papalotitlan")in original Ziggurat gilt frame. (minor wear to the gold leaf gilding) Pedro Friedeberg was born in Floren...