Obvious State

IN PURSUIT OF WISDOM & BEAUTY

Our artwork and goods are inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, 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. Since 2011, all of our goods are USA made and printed on premium, sustainable materials.

"WITTY & ELEGANT"

- Los Angeles Times

"VISUAL PUNS & INSIDER NUDGES"

- Flavorwire

"Clever, Exquisitely Inked"

- My Modern Met

"GORGEOUS LITERARY ART"

- Book Riot

JOURNAL

Beauty will save the world
“Beauty will save the world” - Dostoevsky Out of context, it's easy to dismiss this quotation as hopelessly naive or optimistic. But it’s complicated. For Dostoevsky, (at least as we see it) "beauty” transcends aesthetics, and is what inspires the...
Read now
"Their lips brushed like young wild flowers in the wind"
"Their lips brushed like wild flowers in the wind." - F. Scott Fitzgerald This quote, suggested by Kerri of @myoutfitmatchesmybook, comes from Fitzgerald’s early novel This Side of Paradise. The line serves as a great summary of the novel which...
Read now
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...
Read now