Hard to visualize without a photo, but I'm guessing it looks strange because the picture is so vertical, whereas the sofa is so horizontal. Most people hang a large horizontal picture over their sofa, to balance things out. One thing you could try is two smaller pictures or mirrors on either side of the large picture, to visually stretch out the artwork. Would love to see a pic!

It works when the negative space above the sofa is rectangular in nature. It also works best with tall ceilings as it fills out the wall space.

Here's a Mary Macdonald room done with a vertical mirror. It would be the same idea with a piece of art.

Here is a link that might be useful:

{{!gwi}}

I can see why you love the picture! In the example from above, the vertical picture works because of the windows on either side. Again I think you would have to try and balance out the sides with some kind of additional artwork, mirrors or sconces. Not sure how that would work, though.

Our LR ceilings are 12'. This frame is > 4' x 5'. Some have commented previously that it might look better if positioned closer to the sofa back however this is a loveseat and I'm afraid the painting might overwhelm.

{{!gwi}}

Some have commented previously that it might look better if positioned closer to the sofa back

I agree. It's way too high unless you're 10 feet tall.

That is pretty high up there :D

natal and kadydid--are you referring to my picture or fnmroberts?

Sis, I was referring to fnmroberts. That was her quote.

sis, I think your picture looks good. I also like your pillow and couch. Everything blends well.

Yes, in a perfect design world, if I were picking a shape of a pic to go above the couch, I would have picked something horizontal or wider. However, I would NOT walk into your house and think: "she should have chosen a different shape for her artwork." Rather, I would think how much I liked the room and the bird.

I would follow Homersmom and add sconces and see if it will work. Right now it looks strange to me also.

I don't think it's the ideal shape for over the sofa but I think it's okay. I like the picture and the size is good. You could try some sconces and see how it looks.

I really like your table lamp and pillow.

fnmroberts, I think that you should move it closer to the sofa so that it is "anchored" a bit. Right now it is floating on the wall. Rather than overwhelming the loveseat when it is placed closer it forms a grouping with it.

Thank you terriks for the Photoshop example. I appreciate your taking time to address a solution to a situation. I'm going to keep your post.

Actually, the subject matter in this painting is also quite large and not something to be viewed up close. To take the posted photo I moved close to include more of the room contents and I believe this changes the relationship of the art as one might view it were you here. In our home, the piece is viewed looking across the LR from the Entry, or while descending the stairway and I am confortable with how it hangs. It only seems high when you step into the LR and then you are too close to take in the entire subject.

Thank you all for the critiques, I am not defensive but am unable to provide you with a real life perspective.