A striking portrait by Kees van Dongen, 'The Quai, Venice' features a fashionable woman on the Venetian waterfront, rendered in bold colours and expressive brushwork typical of the artist's distinctive style.

Kees van Dongen, born in the Netherlands, became a prominent figure in the Parisian art scene. His style is characterised by bold colours and expressive brushwork, often depicting fashionable society figures. He developed a distinctive style that blended elements of Fauvism and Expressionism. Van Dongen's portraits are known for their striking use of colour and their ability to capture the essence of his subjects. 'The Quai, Venice' presents a scene on a Venetian waterfront. A woman with striking red hair and a long, dark dress stands prominently on the left, her pale green skin adding to the painting's surreal quality. In the background, a gondolier navigates the waterways, and the architecture of Venice is suggested through simplified forms and blocks of colour. The overall palette is dominated by blues and greens, creating a nocturnal atmosphere. The composition is somewhat unconventional, with the figure placed asymmetrically and the background elements rendered in a more abstract manner.