Obvious State

Mosaic

IN PURSUIT OF WISDOM & BEAUTY

Our artwork and goods are inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, witty insights that strike a chord, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts us to think deeply. Our collection includes over 100 fine art prints, notebooks, books, & gifts that bring aesthetic joy to everyday objects.

"WITTY & ELEGANT"

- Los Angeles Times

"VISUAL PUNS & INSIDER NUDGES"

- Flavorwire

Clever, Exquisitely Inked

- My Modern Met

"GORGEOUS LITERARY ART"

- Book Riot

JOURNAL

There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow
I’ve always loved this quote from the final act of Hamlet, and this passage was recently suggested to us by Anila Arshad-Mehmood (@akneela). In the scene, Horatio begs Hamlet to make up an excuse not to duel with Laertes, if he...
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Exit, Pursued by a Bear
"Exit, pursued by a bear" is a stage direction from Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale that is infamous for its hilarity and difficulty to stage. It's one of the best literary inside jokes (welcome to the club!) and it's a fun line...
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We are all in paradise
Inspiration for our Dostoevsky illustration is from the Biographical Notes section of "The Brothers Karamazov." It's a wonderful passage that stands on its own as a poignant piece of literature. "Notes of the Life of the deceased Priest and Monk,...
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