Charles Dickens - Pain of Parting

'Charles Dickens - Pain of Parting' 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.

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." - Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

I’ve thought about this quotation often over the past few months as we collectively endure isolation and grieve gatherings. In his own time, Dickens (and his characters) also contended with a "dread disease," consumption, and the past year has been an acute reminder of how precious time spent with loved ones is. And I don’t know about you, but I also can’t wait to just sit in a crowded, noisy space among strangers again.

One of the most disorienting aspects of 2020 was the way in which physical isolation distorted the sense of time, compressing it and expanding it in unfamiliar ways.

This illustration uses a Nicolosi projection of the globe, shown as two adjoining circles connected at the equator (originally developed by Al-Biruni, a Persian polymath of the Islamic Golden Age ca. 1000 AD). The Nicolosi projection does to space what 2020 did to time: compressing and expanding it to create a new, unfamiliar territory. Turned on its side it also resembles an hourglass, bringing space and time together into one image. Elements of overlapping roads mark a long journey that had to be taken. But once fully traveled, the road will bring parted people full circle, and back together.

This design is dedicated to all of you who have patiently waited to be reunited with family and loved ones.

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.