Gambling Painting
Introduction
Over the course of history, numerous paintings that portray gambling were created. It is evident that various forms of gambling existed from the very ancient ages in different cultures around the world. But why does this subject evoke so much inspiration in artists that lived in ultimately different eras? Perhaps, it is due to the nature of gambling that makes people so passionate about capturing it in the works of art. And if you wish to experience this passion and thrill for yourself from the comfort of your home, visit the best online casino Canada can offer. In this article, we will overview the most famous paintings that represented gambling as an art.
What is so appealing about creating gambling paintings?
Before we dive deeper into the discussion of particular gambling paintings, it is significant to discuss what makes gambling in general to be so appealing as the subject matter for artists. We can suggest that, aside from various painting styles and ideas that influenced the art world in different historical periods, the core purpose of art is to capture the essence of human life. Evidently enough, you can approach this objective from different perspectives — for example, by portraying historical events, biblical and mythical plots, or everyday life situations. However, all these perspectives share one thing in common: an artist always portrays an emotion. And this is the main reason why the art of gambling is so appealing as a subject matter — it evokes a rich and extensive range of emotions in people, from greatest despair to pure euphoria.
Dogs Playing Poker: The most famous poker art of all time
If you don’t already know, you might have been wondering: who is the artist behind the famous painting of “dogs playing poker'? In fact, the man behind this poker art is Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, an American artist who was active during the late !9th and early 20th century. In fact, “Dogs Playing Poker” is not a single painting, but a series of 18 gambling paintings sharing a common plot, and you might have seen different variations. The painting in question embodies Coolidge’s signature style: he is widely known for depicting anthropomorphic dogs gambling and participating in other human activities. But people still wonder: what is the “Dogs Playing Poker” meaning? Some people tend to look down upon Coolidge's art, considering it to be shallow and meaningless kitsch. Well, it might not confidently compete with some of the Renaissance masterpieces, but it still possesses quite a beautiful allegory. By depicting human activities performed by dogs, Coolidge unravels the prevalence of primal instincts in human nature.
The Cardsharps: Realism and elegance of gambling artwork
Moving forward, the next gambling painting in our list could be among the most appreciated and well-known masterpieces related to gambling world. “The Cardsharps” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, which was created around 1594, is an outstanding example of baroque genre and a milestone in Caravaggio’s art career as well. This gambling painting depicts a street life situation in a realistic yet elegant manner. We can see a boy cardsharp (or card cheat) on the right, reaching for hidden cards under his belt, and in the center there is an older cardsharp, who is signaling to his partner in crime. And on the left, we observe an unsuspecting boy, enjoying a game of cards. The beauty of this work lies in its dynamic composition, as we see that the figures of cardsharps overpower their victim. But the most important artistic feature of this painting is the collision of very different emotions — innocence, fear, anger, malice — expressed through one simple and realistic situation.
Argument Over a Card Game: An artwork of baroque drama
Another example of baroque genre in our list is the “Argument Over a Card Game”, created in the latter half of the 17th century by the Dutch artist Jan Steen. It might be less famous than “The Cardsharps” by Caravaggio, but it is nonetheless considered to be one of the highlights of baroque style, as well as painting art in general. What is so powerful about this gambling painting is the burst of emotions that is captured by the artist. In a way, the painting’s plot and theme echoes the meaning of “Dogs Playing Poker” as they both convey primal instincts in humans to some extent. However, Steen’s gambler art portrays the peak of negative emotions, the outrage and anger evoked by a great loss or, maybe, cheating. Of course, such feelings are not normal, but that’s the power which the art provides us — to experience situations and emotions through the means of artistic expression.
Card Players: Cezanne’s post impressionist take on gambling art
Taking it back to the late 19th century, namely its last decade, we decided that it would be a huge omission not to mention Paul Cezanne’s famous paintings on the subject of gambling. Similarly to Coolidge, Cezanne created a series of artworks that were focused on capturing the impressions of ordinary people’s everyday moments: drinking in bars and cafes, strolling, socializing, and playing card games. The particular piece of art in question is probably Paul Cezanne’s most famous painting on the topic of gambling. It depicts two men who play a game of cards at a bar table. Cezanne is widely known for his passion about capturing the everyday life of French society, portraying insignificant situations in such a manner that gave them a fleeting, subtle beauty. The “Card Players” gambling painting is the perfect example of Cezanne’s approach to art. We see two men who are amidst a game of cards — it’s nothing special, but they seemingly enjoy their leisure time.
At the Roulette Table: Casino art from the perspective of expressionism
The last artwork in our list of gambling paintings is created by Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist who was mostly active in the very beginning of the 20th century. He is largely known to the world for his “Scream” masterpiece. Generally speaking, Munch’s works are characterized by the prevailing pessimism, themes of loneliness and death, but at the same time his art also expressed the human race’s lust for life. These topics could be easily found in the “At the Roulette Table” casino art. As Munch was one of pioneers of expressionism, this gambling art abstract yet distinct features of the expressionism genre: intense colors, distorted perspective, lush and fast brush strokes. We should specifically focus on the roulette wheel art, as all other objects in the painting gravitate towards it, which creates a really dynamic and expressive composition. We can’t decipher particular emotions from people’s faces, but instead we get an overall feeling of people striving to participate and win in the roulette game.
Conclusion
In overall, we can undoubtedly say that there are numerous examples of how the greatest artists throughout human history found inspiration in gambling. The fact that it’s not specific for only one culture or historical period makes it the universal theme that is explored continuously by the countless number of artists. It could be stated with certainty that the only common thing between different gambling paintings is the complex and overwhelming emotional power that makes the gambler art so compelling.
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If asked to think of paintings that depict betting, your mind might conjure the image of Coolidge’s ‘Dogs Playing Poker’ or Cezanne’s ‘Card Players’. Indeed, there was a time when those poker-playing dogs decorated the wall of every bar across America. Cezanne’s slightly impoverished looking poker players, meanwhile, became all the more famous for having been sold at a whopping $300 million in 2012.
Less likely to come to mind is the vast number of paintings, from centuries past, that depict gambling in all its glory and misery; revealing cultural attitudes and game traditions in the process. The fact is that gambling, in its many forms, has served as the subject of inspiration behind famous works of art from as early a time as Ancient Greece. For the purpose of this article, we’ll take a look at depictions of gambling in paintings between the 16th and 19th century, taking into account the social, legal and artistic context.
Cardsharps 16th century
Caravaggio
Caravaggio was an innovator, a trouble maker, and an incredible artist. His acute observation of lighting, and ability to find detail amidst the mundane is no more apparent than in his dramatic depiction of Biblical scenes. However, everyday activity in 16th century Italian society - such as that of a card game depicted above in his famous ‘Cardsharps’ painting - also gives us a great insight into how Caravaggio viewed the world with an artistic lens. As viewers, we are captivated by the tense scene of deceit taking place, and as such might miss the impressive detail in the table cloth or in the mens’ garments. Note how the older accomplice’s face is darker, giving us a depth perspective that shows how he is ‘lurking’ in the background. We might also interpret his maturity as significant; perhaps the younger trickster has been pressured into the game by his overbearing, greedy mentor. In contrast, the young and oblivious opponent has an almost angelic face with a peaceful expression that is likely a deliberate signifier of his innocence. The prize and the purpose of the cheat lies in view; a big stack of coins on the table.
Die Falschspieler, 17th century
Gerard van Honthorst
Van Honthorst uses lighting in a stark and effective manner to convey a mysterious ambiance, and a sense that something illicit and forbidden is taking place. This is quintessential of the Dutch painter, who through his distinctive use of light and darkness earned the nickname ‘Gherardo delle Notti’. Evident from this painting, titled simply ‘Falschspieler’, is the influence Italian artists such as Caravaggio had upon the artist’s style. Indeed, Honthorst spent some time in Rome as a young artist before making a name for himself as a leading painter in the Netherlands. This particular artwork depicts what appears to be a tense gambling scene whereby three onlookers are emotionally involved in the development of the game. Gold coins are spread across the table, and a young nobleman gapes in disbelief at his opponent; a man with a barely discernible smugness in his expression. Though the exact year in which Honthorst completed the painting is unknown, art historians place it in the latter half of the 17th century.
Paintings Gambling Cards
Gamblers in the Foyer, 18th century
Johann Heinrich Tischbein
The scene is one of harmonious luxury in Tischbein’s airy and pompous depiction of gambling in the 18th century. Giving the painting a colonial twist is the gentleman in a turban who appears to be acting as some kind of moderator. The masquerade accessories and fancy dress leaves us in no doubt that this is a high society party. Though the scene is jovial, there are two guests who do not seem to be enjoying themselves due to a dispute at the card table, where a seated man with a powdered wig bears an expression of irritation. Perhaps the masks worn by party guests represent deception, to draw attention to the cheating that may well be taking place at the game table. Tischbein was a hugely respected German painter who was well-versed in portraying nobility life, and he will have most likely intended for the gambling scene to depict poker or possibly ‘piquet’, a card game which was popular in France at that time.
Dogs Gambling Painting Meaning
The Gaming House, 18th century
William Beckford
By the time William Beckford started painting his eight-part series about the fictional Tom Rakeford, the English artist had already made a name for himself as a painter of ‘moral tragedies’. Previously, he had painted a popular series ‘A Harlot’s Progress’ which documented the life of a fictional prostitute who, in the final painting, dies from the venereal disease. Beckford’s Tom Rakeford series is equally grim, following the young man from the moment he inherits new wealth, and descends into hedonistic debauchery. In the third painting, we see him enjoy an excessive lifestyle and orgies. The fifth painting depicts him marrying a rich woman purely for her wealth, while the sixth painting (above) depicts Rakeford losing all the wealth at a gambling establishment. From there on he ends up in prison and eventually at the famous madhouse ‘Bedford’. It would be fair to assume that the artist William Beckford did not hold gambling in such high esteem.
The Casino at Monte Carlo, 19th century
Christian Bokelman
No casino can be said to have the same legacy of fame and grandeur as the Monte Carlo casino. The gambling house’s history is steeped in royalty, having been commissioned by the Monacan Princess Caroline in the early 1800s for the purpose of restoring wealth to the crown. The building was designed by Parisian architect Gobineau de la Bretonnerie and opened to the public in 1863. The Monte Carlo Casino soon came to be regarded as the ultimate gambling establishment, nowadays associated with spy novels and a celebrity lifestyle. It’s hard to believe, but the Monte Carlo was initially regarded as an unlikely gambling resort due to the lack of roads leading to the Monacan coastline. Nonetheless, as evidenced by this lavish depiction of a crowded and festive games floor, the Monte Carlo Casino was successfully established as a sophisticated resort, offering craps, blackjack, baccarat and other popular casino games. Painted by Christian Bokelman, a German naturalist painter, the artwork may well have been commissioned by Monacan royalty as something of a marketing technique.
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At the Roulette Table at Monte Carlo, 19th century
Edvard Munch
Here we see a more abstract interpretation of a scene from the very same casino - one that takes us intimately close to the action. We feel almost as if we are at the game table ourselves, perhaps in a dream, or in some intoxicated state. Typical to the Norwegian painter’s style, ‘At the Roulette Table at Monte Carlo’ shows colors and shapes merging and flowing in a surreal and eerie fashion. In 19th century Monaco, it’s safe to assume the roulette being played is of the French variant. Roulette was introduced in Paris in the 17th century, and by the 19th century had become the most famous casino game in all of Europe. To this day, roulette is one of the most popular live casino games, so it is interesting to see the game played with the same attentiveness and bustling interest one hundred years ago. Our eyes are drawn to the center of the roulette table where light is cast from the ceiling lamp above. Just like at a real roulette table, all focus is on the game...those that crowd around the table are mere shadows. It’s a testament to Munch’s talent that this painting so cleverly portrays this quality of being immersed in a game.
About the Author
Sophie Jackson is a marketer and journalist within the igaming industry.