Dogs Playing Poker Painting
The first casino opened its doors in Venice, Italy in 1638. Casinos have remained popular recreational venues for individuals from all walks of life since then. Naturally, this long history has resulted in a never-ending supply of various forms of casino artefacts and gambling antiques. There have been iconic images of celebrities at Las Vegas card tables, antique chip sets and cards that fetch fortunes, and books like The Expert at the Card Table that have been passed down down the generations.
The Dogs Playing Poker painting series was started by American artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, better known as C. M. Coolidge, in 1894. He created 18 trademark pieces in total, which make up the entire collection. The series features anthropomorphized dogs playing poker, smoking cigars and pipes, sipping whiskey, wearing glasses, and accumulating chips — all of which were formerly associated with American leisure and social activity (or perhaps Coolidge’s life).
C. M. Coolidge was a clever man with inventive ideas and an entrepreneurial flair when it came to art. He was noted for his “poker playing dogs.” He didn’t receive a formal college education, but he did attend some college business classes later in life. He was born in a small hamlet in upstate New York to Quaker parents. He took a few portrait painting lessons when he was 18 or 19, followed by an accounting course a few years later. His passion for reading led to a strong self-education. He began drawing cartoons for newspapers in his community when he was 19 years old. He wrote and illustrated a weekly newspaper column when residing in Rochester, NY, a few years later.
These pieces of art gradually garnered fame and developed a particular reputation for their distinctive and original traits over time and from one generation to the next. Dogs playing poker original painting is impressive. Coolidge’s ability to be fun with his creations — mixed with sharp humour, attention to detail, and an exceptional aptitude for connecting to the American psyche — resulted in his paintings being sold.
The Dogs Playing Poker series paintings were expected to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000 prior to the Dogs in Art Auction. The paintings, named A Bold Bluff and A Waterloo, sold for a total of $590,400 after multiple rounds of heated bidding, setting a new record for Coolidge’s works. The Dogs Playing Poker theme grew in popularity even more after the record-breaking sale. Original picture of dogs playing poker is available for sale online.
With good reason, the Dogs Playing Poker concept has become part of American society. These paintings depict a time when poker was only played in back rooms. The in-person version of the game is now associated with Las Vegas poker rooms such as the Bellagio, Aria, Venetian, and Wynn. These are well-known, larger-than-life places with a mix of nostalgic echoes from bygone periods and unmistakably current attitudes. Part of the allure of the paintings is that they harken back to a time when poker was a little more underground and communal. In a way, they’re time capsules.
Surprisingly, Dogs Playing Poker murals are painted on the external wall of the Gamblers General Store in Las Vegas. Because they, too, are animal lovers, the business owners adopted Coolidge’s ideas and drew inspiration from him (especially dogs). The idea was carried over to a variety of different items, including themed cards, t-shirts, and even iPhone cases. All of this has aided in the art’s integration with modern card and casino culture.
Coolidge’s works have been included in ads, movies, cartoons, and even music videos (such as Snoop Dogg’s 1993 song “What Is My Name?”). It should come as no surprise that one-of-a-kind paintings that reflect a significant aspect of American culture have grown in value over time. Keep in mind that there are many more pieces in the collection — so keep an eye on the price to see how high the next bidder will go!
