While exhibiting in France with Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts (La Nationale) between 1894 and 1895, Cullen became an associate member of the society and was the first Canadian member. While overseas, Cullen spent time with James Wilson Morrice, vacationing and painting in Brittany, France and Venice, Italy before returning to Montreal in 1895. With sailboats conducive to the Venetian trading industry— compared to the more industrialized steam boats of other significant trading ports at the turn of the century— “Venice Harbour” bears similarities to Cullen's “Venice”, (circa 1900) and “Customs Port Venice” (1901), both part of the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.
