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.
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...
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Zebra, Ink on Paper from the Jungle Series
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Important painting by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg depicting a zebra, from The Jungle series. Exposed in the 1984 exhibition at Galería de Arte Misrachi, Mexico City. Originally c...
Paper
Chinese Tang Dynasty Polo Players Ink Wash Art on Handmade Paper
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a Chinese figurative ink wash painting after the Tang Dynasty fresco: The Mural of Playing Polo. Artwork appears as carbon, pa...
Paint, Paper
Pedro Friedeberg “El Vuelo De Mozart” Silkscreen Art Unframed
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pedro Friedeberg original silkscreen "El vuelo de Mozart”. Signed by the artist. Edition of 30. Includes signature Pedro Friedeberg. The price does not include the frame for a cheape...
Cotton
French Drawing in Pen and Gouache by André Arbus, Paris, 1938
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Gouache and pen work by André Arbus (1903-1969). Signed Andre Arbus. Origin: Drawing of dining table by Andre Arbus for the apartment of Mme Pedersen, Paris, 1938. Literature:...
Pedro Friedeberg Mixed-Media
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example titled Satans Sweatshirt, 1969. This example was loaned by a prominent early collector to the seminal Bryon Gallery Single artist show 1969, NYC. Hand drawn images...
Wood
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 11 in D 0.1 in
"American Indian Dance, " Art Deco Drawing by Jean Target, 1930s
By Jean Target
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Evidence of Western Europe's fascination with Native American culture, dress and way of life for over a century, this vivid drawing uses watercolor, gouache and crayon to capture a g...
Paper
Large Pedro Friedeberg Relief Sculpture/Wall Art, 1970s
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early and spectacular example. "Comprendtendo Mu" (I Understand) Acrylic, pen and Ink and carved wood. Signed, titled and dated 1970.
Acrylic
1970s Pedro Friedeberg Kabalah Abstract Op Art Lithograph
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Abstract Op Art Lithograph Kabalah by Pedro Friedeberg A P 6/10 Bright colors bold patterns provide illusion and fantasy. Signed in pencil. 30 h x 30.25 x .75 Art 28.75 x 28.75...
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
$10,500
H 37.25 in W 31.25 in D 2.75 in
Lenore Gimpert Tutu Series The Detroit Opera House Signed Mixed Media on Paper
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This expressive mixed media work on paper by Lenore Gimpert was commissioned by the Detroit Opera House and captures the emotion and grandeur of performance through abstraction. Sign...
Paper
Set of Three Framed Drawing by Anne Abueva, 2021
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful set of three framed abstract drawings by artist, Anne Abueva, rendered in conté crayon on paper and framed in simple maple gallery fram...
Paper, Crayon
Charles Levier (Fr. 1920-2003) Signed Watercolor & Ink On Paper
By Charles Levier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Watercolor & ink depicting a woman in a purple dress with her eyes shaded in blue with a crowd in the background in orange, pink and yellow tones. Presented in a silvertone metal...
Metal
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.5 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
New Objectivity Drawing (Head of Gothic Woman) by Beeldens
By Beeldens
Located in New York, NY
Neue Sachlichkeit drawing by Beeldens, unframed, pencil & charcoal on paper. Neue Sachlichkeit (The New Objectivity). New objectivity painters infus...
Paper, Pencil
$595
H 8.38 in W 10.25 in D 0.1 in
"WD2758 Mona" Abstract Art by M. P. Landis, Warehouse Drawing Series
By MP Landis
Located in New York, NY
An energetic, richly hued abstract work on paper by the artist M.P. Landis. The artist's abstract paintings and works on paper are the type that take form through the artist's layeri...
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Hyena, Ink on Paper from The Jungle Series
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mexico City, MX
Important painting by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg depicting a hyena, from The Jungle series. Exposed in the 1984 exhibition at Galería de Arte Misrachi, Mexico City. Conceived as...
Paper
Sold
H 12 in W 4.75 in D 4.5 in
2007 Pedro Friedberg Art Mexican Modernist Silk Screened Wood Tequila Box
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in San Diego, CA
Awesome wood tequila box featuring Pedro Friedberg art on every surface. Made to hold Jose Cuervo Tequila Reserva De La Familia, 2007. Very limited editi...
Pedro Friedeberg Painting Obelisco Irresponsable
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Unique piece. Pedro Friedeberg and Frida Kahlo were the only two Mexican artists Andre Breton recognized as part of the Surrealist movement, making Friedeberg the last of the Mexica...
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Painting Obelisco Rojo Y Dragon Negro
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Pedro Friedeberg and Frida Kahlo were the only two Mexican artists Andre Breton recognized as part of the Surrealist movement, making Friedeberg the last of the Mexican Surrealists. ...
Paper
Pedro Friedeberg Painting Obelisco Obelisco Hegeliano
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Mérida, Yucatan
Pedro Friedeberg and Frida Kahlo were the only two Mexican artists Andre Breton recognized as part of the Surrealist movement, making Friedeberg the last of the Mexican Surrealists. ...
Paper
Pair of Framed Ink Drawings by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of interesting color ink drawing on irregularly pattern paper by Mexican surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg dated 1989. Both framed in thin bronze with double glass front and ...
Paper
Framed Surrealistic Painting by Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artists: Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, b. 1936) Title: "Nietzche's Last Picnic" Year: 1969 Medium: oil, pen and ink on board Size: 15 x 20" Marked: signed and dated "MCMLXIX" mid-...
Paint
Pedro Friedeberg Untitled Painting Signed 6/12
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration an original serigraph painting by Pedro Friedeberg. Signed in pencil in the lower right section. Left side has also in pencil 6/12. Large wood frame with black...
Pedro Friedeberg Painting Dog God
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration an original serigraph painting by Pedro Friedeberg. Signed in pencil in the lower right section. Left side has the initials B/T. Large wood frame with black an...
Pedro Friedeberg Flying Pig B/T
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration an original serigraph painting by Pedro Friedeberg. Signed in pencil in the lower right section. Left side has the initials B/T. Large wood frame with black an...
Painting installation Pedro Friedeberg
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entitled "Variacones Sefiroticias", a work that spanned 10 years from 2000 to 2010. According to Pedro Friedeberg, "this work of art is my favorite piece of sublime Kabalistic and Se...
Wood