Featured Artworks Showcase

Artist highlights Friedrich Zettl

Fine art showcase: When appreciating works of art, of course individuals like art enthusiasts, critics, and gallery curators often focus on different aspects. Each viewer may respond uniquely to a piece, influenced by personal tastes, professional insights, or emotional connections. In our “Featured” category, we present a curated selection of Friedrich Zettl’s artworks, handpicked by the artist himself as some of his most accomplished pieces. These selections highlight moments of significant artistic growth, the effective conveyance of a powerful idea, or the masterful blending of colors and techniques.

Featured artworks Friedrich Zettl are available for purchase. You may order them as original pieces or high-quality prints. Our pricing is transparent, covering all associated costs, including shipping. Additionally, each artwork is meticulously framed, thus ensuring it’s ready for display as soon as it arrives at your doorstep. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, these pieces sure offer a unique opportunity to own a part of Zettl’s artistic journey.

featured artworks 2025

Oneiric Divide

This painting is a work of abstract surrealism. It creates a dreamlike, slightly threatening atmosphere, with its composition oriented toward Asian painting. This influence is clear in the calligraphic marks, the prominent seals, and the division of space. The heavily textured surface is split into two horizontal fields, dominated by a dark, ambiguous form that runs down the center. Small, sharp strokes of red and black interrupt the scene, adding to the subtle feeling of unease.

Fractured Eden

This painting presents a dystopian landscape. At first glance, the vibrant green and yellow forms might suggest a beautiful natural scene. This surface impression is quickly broken by clear signs of environmental destruction. The organic shapes are disrupted by fragmented lines and artificial, grid-like structures, creating a powerful tension between natural beauty and underlying decay.

Childhood

Ethereal jellyfish float through a deep darkness, serving as a metaphor for the fragile and dreamlike world of innocence. This silent beauty is violently interrupted by sharp, abstract fragments that scar their translucent forms, representing the unbearable moment when conflict shatters a child’s world. The artwork thus becomes a universal indictment of the loss of innocence, encouraging an emotional reflection on how violence irrevocably wounds the most vulnerable.

childhood

Meditations on Absence

This piece, from the series “Flickers of Being,” creates a visual dialogue between numerous individual elements, each imbued with an open-ended meaning. The minimalist, post-romantic composition is deeply inspired by the music of Anton von Webern, echoing the sparse yet expressive quality of his soundscapes.

Meditations on Absence – SALE

The Mount of Olives

This abstract work, “The Mount of Olives,” alludes to the traditional themes of Easter, resurrection, and the cyclical renewal of life. However, the turbulent energy of the piece reflects a contemporary reality, overlaying the hopeful narrative with a somber tone that is far from optimistic. The result is a powerful commentary on the struggle to find rebirth in troubled times.

The Mount of Olives – SALE

Artist highlights 2024

Evening, then Night

This work delves into the intricate emotional landscape experienced at various times of the day. Evening, then Night captures the transition from wakefulness tothe dreal relm, centering around the night. The night as ethereal domain where surrealism, fantasies, and dreams converge.

Fine art showcase: A Glimpse of Zen

Part of the “Zenimals” – series, A Gimpse of Zen shifts the focus from realistic animal depictions to capturing the soul, the super-animal. Crafted with ink and pastels on handmade paper, this evocative piece draws inspiration from Zen Buddhism, Chinese traditional painting and calligraphy.

Land and Sea 

It is a work from the series “The Magic Sea”, a work in progress that deals with environmental destruction. “Land and Sea” is a dynamic piece from “The Magic Sea” series, reflecting on the pressing issue of environmental destruction. This evolving work intertwines the philosophies of Daoism and Zen Buddhism, creating a visual dialogue on nature’s delicate balance.

Forces of Nature

“Forces of Nature” is a continuation of the “The Magic Sea” project, transitioning to a critical scene where water first encroaches upon the land and ultimately consumes it. This dramatic setting is a focal point within the project, symbolizing the relentless power of nature. The carefully chosen color palette intensifies the sense of impending danger, emphasizing the looming threat that nature poses at this moment.

Forces of Nature – SALE

Deep Blue Sea

“Deep Blue Sea” emerged following a captivating visit to Egypt, where snorkeling and diving unveiled a mesmerizing underwater realm. This artwork juxtaposes expressionist techniques with elements borrowed from photorealism, intertwined with influences from traditional Chinese calligraphy.

Natural Forces

“Natural Forces” tackles a vast theme within the confines of a small sheet of paper. Through abstraction, the artwork challenges and redefines the boundaries of space and force, creating a dynamic interplay that invites viewers to explore the shifting limits of these elements.

2023 featured artworks

Flotsam

“Flotsam” is a captivating exploration of beauty in the unexpected. Inspired by a 2023 visit to Egypt, the artwork draws from the artist’s daily encounters with flotsam—a mix of discarded objects and natural debris washed ashore.

Tangled algae, weathered fragments, and other beach treasures are reimagined on canvas, often in surreal forms.

Where Spheres Meet

“Where Spheres Meet” is an abstract work deeply influenced by Daoist philosophy, particularly the balance of opposites. The piece explores the convergence of elements like space and sea, fish and birds, cold and warmth, roughness and fineness. Despite its abstract nature, the composition evokes a sense of organic familiarity, furthermore resonating with the natural harmony found in the interplay of these contrasting forces.

Firebird

“Firebird” is a visually striking tribute to Igor Stravinsky’s iconic ballet. This artwork is part of a series where the artist explores the deep connection between music and visual art. The piece radiates with the tension between lightness and gravity, capturing the dynamic energy of Stravinsky’s composition. Utilizing various inks on photo paper, the artist creates a mesmerizing composition that mirrors the spontaneity and meticulous structure of the music.

2022 featured top picks

Blue and Brown

“Blue and Brown” is an abstract piece from the “Gestural Paintings” series, featuring dynamic brushstrokes that echo the energy and expressive forms of Asian painting traditions. This work captures the fluidity and spontaneity characteristic of this style, blending color and movement in a way that embodies the essence of gestural expression.

The End of Time

“The End of Time” is an abstract painting created with various inks on Yupo paper, blending traditional Chinese art concepts with dynamic Western gestural techniques. The composition features two opposing force fields—one pulling inward, the other pushing outward. This tension symbolizes the contrast between containment and expansion, reflecting deep philosophical questions about existence, boundaries, and the relentless flow of time.

River Deep Mind High

“River Deep Mind High” is an abstract painting created with various inks on Yupo paper. It draws inspiration from both traditional Chinese art and Western gestural painting techniques. The composition weaves together cultural influences, inviting viewers to contemplate the depths of the mind and the expressive energy of the brushstrokes.

Corona and Ice (II)

“Corona and Ice (II)” is created with various inks on Yupo paper. It seamlessly merges concepts from traditional Chinese art with elements of Western gestural painting. Gestural elements symbolize the Corona, floating above ice and snow. The interplay of cultural influences invites viewers to contemplate the dynamic tension between these elements.

Artist highlights 2021

Elongated Landscape

“Elongated Landscape” is an abstract painting created with various inks on Yupo paper. It merges concepts from traditional Chinese art with Western painting techniques. The elongated and powerful composition draws viewers into a contemplative landscape, enriched by subtle echoes of other art movements like Art Nouveau.

Music and Power

“Music and Power” is an abstract work from the “Zen Moments” series. This captivating series explores Zen and Daoist principles, focusing on the dialogue of opposites and how complementary forces intertwine within the painting.

For a harmonious blend of music and tranquility, immerse yourself in Zen-inspired melodies. Music can unlock productivity, enhance focus, and create a serene ambiance. Whether studying, working, or relaxing, let the rhythm guide you to new levels of productivity and furthermore to inner peace.

Over the Mountains

“Over the Mountains” is a captivating painting created with various inks on Yupo paper. It merges traditional Chinese art concepts with Western gestural painting techniques, resulting in a unique and dynamic composition. Published in 2022, this artwork is featured in a bilingual book of 31 poems by Theodor Storm, illustrated by Friedrich Zettl, who also designed the cover.

2020 Featured artworks Friedrich Zettl

Poem in Red

“Poem in Red” deals with a work by the Chinese calligrapher and poet Tang Yin.

Renowned Chinese painter, calligrapher, and poet Tang Yin (1470–1524), also known by his courtesy name Tang Bohu, left an indelible mark on the Ming dynasty. Tang’s artistic genius transcends mere aesthetics, grappling with the raw elements of human nature—envy, greed, and venality.

Spring

“Spring”: This captivating piece stems from the repeated inscription of an ancient Chinese poem. Rooted in traditional Chinese calligraphy, it absolutely embodies both chaos and harmony.

At first glance, viewers may see disorder. However, with patient contemplation, hidden patterns and lastly beauty emerge. Much like life’s chaotic phases, this work invites introspection, encouraging us to find peace and order within the intricate dance of existence.

Down by the Sea

“Down by the Sea” is a captivating and surreal painting that harmoniously blends various inks on Yupo paper. The composition draws inspiration from traditional Chinese art, intertwining with Western gestural painting techniques.

At first glance, the piece may appear abstract, however closer examination reveals intricately detailed and realistic areas. It’s as if the sea itself reveals hidden stories within its waves.

selected works – pre 2020

Sunset in the Woods

“Sunset in the Woods”: The artist recently rediscovered the “Blue Rider” group, reigniting his long-lost admiration for these painters. Inspired by this renewed passion and a beautiful walk through the Vienna Woods, he created this painting, blending his old influences with fresh inspiration.

Artist highlights: Fetish

“Fetish” merges the fluidity of Chinese calligraphy with the expressive brushstrokes of Western gestural painting. This abstract composition invites viewers to explore the interplay of cultural influences, creating a captivating visual dialogue.

Power Play

“Power Play” explores gestural calligraphy, where Eastern and Western influences collide in a burst of energy.

The artwork’s Asian influence shines through in the expressive brushwork. Bold strokes intersect and dance across the surface, echoing the power and dynamism of traditional Asian calligraphy.

“Power Play” transcends its influences, exploring the interplay between tradition and modernity. Ink transforms into a conduit for raw energy, emotion, and unbridled creativity. The viewer is invited to join the dance and feel the power in every stroke.

Withered Hibiscus Flowers

“Withered Hibiscus Flowers” This evocative artwork explores the fleeting nature of beauty through the lens of “wabi-sabi,” a Japanese aesthetic philosophy.

The composition embraces the transient and imperfect, celebrating the quiet elegance found in decay.

Featured in Media: TV Portrait (in German) | Press Release (Chinese) | On Dao and Zen | BIO

Shops: FriedrichZettl.com – Saatchiart . Media: Blog – Youtube – Instagram

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