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Understood Backwards

Understood Backwards

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
This simple observation from Kierkegaard’s journals sets the stage for his philosophy on the nature of experience, time, regret and the existential necessity of faith.

Kierkegaard was considered the father of existentialism, and later existentialist thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus built on the ideas he put forth in his great work, Fear and Trembling.

In our illustration, a ship ventures into unknown waters--a sea of illegible futures. Only in the wake it leaves behind can one make sense of its course and its meaning. 

SPECIAL OFFER
Any 3 prints for $48 (regularly $72)
Code: 3PRINTS
See all prints here 

• 11x14 inch art print with white border 
• Premium, fine art paper made in New York 
• Elegant eggshell finish
• Ships in a a rigid, flat mailer. No need to unroll! 
• Fits into standard 11x14 frames (or a 16x20 frame matted to 11x14) 

Custom sizes available HERE



$ 24.00

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Kaylee Armstrong

I bought this as a gift and it's perfect! I can't wait to give it to them!

T
Taylor

Understood Backwards

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Is

Lovely print! Very high quality. My order also came with some free postcards featuring other artwork.

J
Jennifer

I bought this for my classroom!

E
Etsy customer

Understood Backwards

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Emily

I purchased several items from this shop and loved them all! The quality is great, especially at the prices, and the color saturation is excellent. Perfect for gifting. Fast shipping, too! Highly recommended.

E
Etsy customer

Understood Backwards

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Andrea Torres

This was a gift, and the person receiving it loved it!

About Us

Obvious State is a creative studio and publisher founded by Nichole and Evan Robertson in 2011.

We make bold, illustrated editions and art drawn from the classics.

Our books and prints are available in our shop and in bookstores and boutiques nationwide.

Our work has been featured at The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Writers Museum, The Emily Dickinson Museum, The Library of Congress, The Getty Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art and more.

One artist. Over 150 original works. All drawn from the classics.

Every piece is illustrated by Evan Robertson — a single artistic vision applied to some of the greatest works ever written.

Every piece rewards a second look. Or a third.

Provocative visuals paired with punctuated language, full of surprising visual metaphors, subtext, and insider nudges.

Books are the original smart device

Our pocket editions are portable art objects made to collect, share, and inspire moments of quiet reflection in an overstimulated digital world.

In Pursuit of Wisdom & Beauty

We’re drawn to language that has stood the test of time, insights that strike a chord, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts critical thinking.