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Art in the office can promote creativity, relax stressed workers and increase business productivity, adding to a company’s success. Whether it’s classic depictions of serenity or abstract lines of vivid colour, the paintings lining office walls are more than just decoration.

According to new research commissioned by Lexmark, the printer manufacturer and written by psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, the choice of art can affect the way staff operate and how prospective customers perceive the business. It reveals that art is a significant part of office ‘make-up’, helping to generate an atmosphere and giving an organisation and its workforce a personality.

The study, which examined emotional responses to popular paintings, suggests art that is incompatible with the functions of its surroundings, can impact on job satisfaction, absenteeism, productivity and working relationships.

For example, art by Munch was found to be the most intimidating and depressing, while Picasso raised aggression levels. In comparison, Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ promoted feelings of happiness and inspiration, and was voted as a favourite stress reliever for females.

Certain industries carried common themes. For example, abstract and ‘inoffensive’ contemporary art is favoured by the legal sector, promoting a non-distracting environment that tends to think of itself as modern and cutting edge. In contrast, the media sector boasts pop posters, branding and advertisements, blatantly celebrating modern popular culture. Paintings by art school graduates and up and coming contemporary artists are also popular.

Surprisingly, the design industry tends to be more practical when lining its walls, preferring calendars, plans and own designs to the exhibition of another person’s works. These features make for a stern working environment, promoting more a feeling of duty than calmness or happiness.

When it comes to the reputation of individuals, this can be reinforced by certain paintings. For example, female respondents noted that if nudes (Cezanne) appeared on the wall of a male known for his lecherous tendencies, this would only serve to confirm any perceptions.

Is your office well hung? Dr Sigman makes the following recommendations:

• Van Gogh ‘Sunflowers on blue’ – sensible, tried and tested but unfortunately the ‘garden gnome of paintings’. A good choice for junior managers who wish to add a decorative feel-good factor to their office but are wary of making too strong a statement
• Picasso ‘Guernica’ – depicting chaos, conflicts and damage. This is for the man who savours the cut and thrust of commerce and the brutality of office politics. One for the human resources department in full size for maximum intimidation or as a reminder of hostile take-overs or redundancy
• Dali ‘The persistence of memory’ – negative and unsettling, could communicate failure and unreliability – good choice for the man with disdain for rigid deadlines and boundaries with a wish to defy the 9 to 5 office existence
• Rothko ‘untitled’ – sombre, profound and monumental – good for downsizing and great for the boardroom
• Matisse ‘ Blue nude’ – Matisse said that he wanted his art to have the effect of a good armchair on a tired businessman – well according to this study he has succeeded! A painting for the man not bold enough to put a proper nude on his wall. The figure is androgynous and depersonalised – it’s a way of getting a nude into the office without upsetting the women
• Kadinsky ‘Squares with concentric circles’ – rich, strong colours which are linear and mechanical – for the immaculate office where everything is put away. Carefully organised chaos for the office worker who evens plans spontaneity