Because Matisse knew restraint, the orange hits harder here. The room reads warmer the moment it goes up pink shutters, a slice of green hillside, and that unmistakable dog pulling every eye in.

What changes: walls feel sunnier, even on a grey day. The orange acts like a small lamp on the wall, so adjacent neutrals stop looking flat and start looking warm.

Where it works: above a console in a hallway, over a low sofa in a south-facing sitting room, or on a landing wall where you want a lift of colour. Hang at eye-level so the dog meets you head-on.

Pair with: cane chairs, warm pink or ochre upholstery, painted woodwork, terracotta pots and woven rugs. It loves a room with a bit of texture.

What not to do: don’t drown it in greys or cool blues the orange will sulk. The canvas softens the brushwork and reads like a real painting on the wall.