The Circus by Matisse Art Print

The Circus by Matisse Art PrintAgainst plaster, the deep pink reads less sweet, more deliberate. Matisse's Circus cut out plays its bold pink, navy and white off each other with confident, hand cut edges. Hung over a sofa, sideboard or desk, it lifts a quiet room without tipping into chaos. Pair it with painted off white walls, velvet seating in dusty rose or olive, walnut wood and a little brass or black metal. Keep nearby surfaces fairly clear so the shapes can breathe. Avoid

oranges or other busy florals — let the yellow be the warmest thing on the wall

Skip alongside heavy dark florals or busy gallery walls — this one wants air around it to do its work

It softens a quiet room without flattening it

Don't crowd it with busy florals or another graphic landscape

A Matisse-inspired exhibition poster of a woman with a cat curled on her head

Eye-level for a seated grown-up works well

and it needs that room to breathe

or above a low sideboard in a moody living room

The opening line sets the tone — a calm

Loose brushstrokes pull lilac

the navy line work stays crisp and the cream sits warm rather than stark

autumn trees in mustard yellow