Expectation by Gustav Klimt Canvas Print london Matisse's clown lands on the

Matisse's clown lands on the wall as a clean burst of bright blue

the terracotta staircase warms it back up

the slightly grainy hand-lettering and warm cream background look soft and tactile rather than flat or printed

a black ground

the pint glass turns from nice idea to main character

Expectation by Gustav Klimt Canvas Print london Matisse's clown lands on theOnce the warm gold enters, the whole room stops apologising. A robed figure stands in profile against a wall of soft cream and rolling golden swirls quiet, certain, and oddly modern for 1905. The colour does the work. A flat off white background pulls daylight around the room, while the patterned robe gives the eye something rich to settle on without shouting. Walls that felt blank suddenly feel composed. It sits beautifully on a hallway wall, beside