Skip to main content

Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

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.

3
1
to
3
4
4
4
2
1
3
1
2
1
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
2
1
4
4
76
123
86
83
53
Creator: Pedro Friedeberg
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

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...
Category

1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

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...
Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

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-...
Category

1960s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paint

Related Items
Postmodern Pop Art Silk Screen Painting Print ‘Classic Heroes’ by David Bromley
By David Bromley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
David Bromley immigrated with his family as a child to Australia where he still lives. Self-taught, he began his artistic career as a potter, and then, with a focus on painting, became known for his storybook images of his imagined British childhood. These images are the frequent subjects of his large oils on canvas, small embroideries and gorgeous silk screen prints with children playing, skipping, sleeping or at the seaside in boats, as if from the pages of Dick and Jane books...
Category

Mid-20th Century Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

Framed Lady Painting, Signed by Artist
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A brilliant painting of a lady gathering flowers in a garden, signed by the artist, R. Gerlach. Framed in a simple oak frame this painting is ready to be hung in your interior. Be su...
Category

20th Century French Other Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Oak, Paint

Framed Lady Painting, Signed by Artist
Framed Lady Painting, Signed by Artist
H 42.38 in W 32.63 in D 2.5 in
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...
Category

1990s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Cotton

"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...
Category

Early 2000s American Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

Pedro Friedeberg Signed Vintage Double Sided "Day & Night" Silkscreen Art
By Pedro Friedeberg
Located in North Miami, FL
The wonderful vintage cusrom framed art work of Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg is exemplified in this dual sided work that is a numbered and signed si...
Category

1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Plexiglass, Paper

Mexican Modernist Painting by Jesus Leuus, 1973, La Familia
By Jesus Leuus
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Modern Mexican painting - acrylic on Masonite by Jesus Leuus (1948-) This painting is in excellent condition and is signed and dated lower rig...
Category

20th Century Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paint

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.  
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Abstract Work on Paper by M. P. Landis, from Warehouse Drawing Series
Located in New York, NY
A 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 layering of materi...
Category

Early 2000s American Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

Parrots in the Jungle Haitian Acrylic on Canvas Painting
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional oil painting on canvas by Haitian artist depicts lush green jungle with bright and vivid colorful parrots overlooking beautiful lush jungle, acrylic paint on canvas, with...
Category

1970s Haitian Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Wood

Large Original Drawing by Gio Ponti for Touring Carrozzeria Milan, 1952
By Gio Ponti
Located in Dronten, NL
Important drawing by Gio Ponti of the Diamante line for Touring Carrozzeria Milan, documented in "Gio Ponti" "L'Arte si innamora dell'industria" by Ugo La Pietra, page 254-255. Ponti...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

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...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg Mixed-Media
Pedro Friedeberg Mixed-Media
H 19.5 in W 19 in D 0.75 in
Surrealistic Oil Painting on Canvas, 1970
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage framed oil painting on canvas, 1970. Depicts a woman with pill, standing in a moonlit landscape. Signed with R.Boutens, 70. Dimensions: 108 W x 88 H x 3.5 D cm.
Category

1970s Belgian Space Age Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Surrealistic Oil Painting on Canvas, 1970
Surrealistic Oil Painting on Canvas, 1970
H 34.65 in W 42.52 in D 1.19 in
Previously Available Items
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...
Category

1980s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

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...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

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. ...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

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. ...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

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 ...
Category

1980s Mexican Modern Vintage Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Paper

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Pedro Friedeberg Painting Dog God
Pedro Friedeberg Painting Dog God
H 29 in W 24 in D 1 in
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...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Pedro Friedeberg Flying Pig B/T
Pedro Friedeberg Flying Pig B/T
H 29 in W 24 in D 1 in
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Pedro Friedeberg Paintings

Materials

Wood

Pedro Friedeberg paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Pedro Friedeberg paintings 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 paintings, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original paintings 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 paintings by Francisco Zúñiga, and Byron Gálvez. Prices for Pedro Friedeberg paintings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $325 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,800.

Recently Viewed

View All