'Paul Laurence Dunbar - Caged Bird' is an open edition, illustrative literary print by New York City based creative studio 'Obvious State'. This artwork is printed on heavy premium 270 gsm Fine Art paper with an elegant eggshell finish.

"I know why the caged bird sings" - Paul Laurence Dunbar from his beloved poem, Sympathy, which he wrote in 1899 while working as a clerk at the Library of Congress.

On the most immediate level, the poem was a response to the stifling confinement and heat he felt as he worked behind the iron grating of the book stacks in the summer. "All out of doors called” to him, and the sweltering heat and oppressive dust contributed to his deteriorating health. But he also depicts a relationship between suffering and creative expression that resonates far beyond the immediate discomfort of his occupation. As the son of freed slaves, he captured the conflict between the desire to take his place in the world, and the artificial barriers and prejudices he faced.

Despite being cut off in his prime by tuberculosis, Dunbar was a prolific writer. He published a dozen books of poetry, eight books, a play, and the lyrics for a musical. He also inspired Maya Angelou who used the last line in Sympathy as the title of her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

Frame Details: We use sustainable wooden frames and glass, not fibreboard and acrylic which typically you find in 'off the shelf' frames. Unlike acrylic, glass does not lose its clarity over time and can be easily and safely cleaned. We have been successfully shipping ready to hang frames containing glass since we opened in 2005. There are two finishes to choose from: black or white.

For frame details click the ‘View Frame Details’ link above.

Packaging Details: We go to great lengths to ensure that your purchase arrives in perfect condition. We only use sturdy cardboard postal tubes and double walled cardboard boxes. We use as much recycled and recyclable material as possible, including newspapers from our coffee shop, Coffee Yard, to pack our boxes.

Delivery Details: Unframed prints come flat packed. Place your order by 3pm for same day dispatch. Next day delivery is available at checkout. For full delivery information, including cost, click the ‘Delivery Information’ link above.