Venise le Soir painting captures the tranquil yet vibrant beauty of Venice at dusk, showcasing Selmersheim-Desgrange's ability to evoke light and atmosphere through dappled brushstrokes. The painting depicts the Venetian lagoon bathed in the rich hues of a setting sun, with warm tones of orange, pink, and violet harmonising beautifully with cool greens and blues of the water. These colours, applied in meticulous dabs of paint using the Pointillist technique pioneered by Georges Seurat and championed by Paul Signac, transform into a vivid and immersive scene when viewed from a distance. Up close, the individual strokes reveal Selmersheim-Desgrange's technical brilliance, as she balances precision with emotion to achieve a luminous effect.The composition of Venise le Soir is a study in subtle complexity, divided into two horizontal planes. The lower portion, dominated by the shimmering lagoon, is animated by the rippling reflections of buildings and the movement of gondolas gliding toward the entrance of the Grand Canal. In the upper portion, the southern façade of the Ducal Palace looms majestically, its golden glow a testament to Venice's historic grandeur. Selmersheim-Desgrange’s choice to portray this iconic Venetian view connects her work to a rich artistic lineage, echoing the influence of both eighteenth century Venetian artists like Canaletto and twentieth century Impressionists, notably Claude Monet. Monet’s depictions of Venice, particularly his celebrated paintings of the Ducal Palace, may have served as inspiration for Selmersheim-Desgrange, whose composition reflects a profound engagement with light, reflection, and architectural form. The result is a work that simultaneously honours the past and asserts its place within the Neo-Impressionist movement.Painted during the artist's transformative 1920s period, Venise le Soir represents a pivotal moment in Selmersheim-Desgrange’s career. Having initially focused on intimate still lifes of domestic objects, the artist began to explore more ambitious subjects during this era, inspired by her travels with Paul Signac to locations such as Venice and the French Riviera. This shift marked a significant expansion of her artistic scope, allowing her to capture the dynamic interplay between natural light, water, and architecture. Venice, with its unique luminosity and ever-changing reflections, provided the ideal setting for Selmersheim-Desgrange to fully realise her mastery of Neo-Impressionist techniques.

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