Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Dogs Playing Poker is a series of 18 paintings by the American artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, who is also known as the “Michelangelo of the dog world”. These paintings depict various breeds of dogs, dressed in human clothes, playing poker and engaging in other activities. These paintings are not only humorous and whimsical, but also rich in symbolism and cultural references. They have become some of the most popular and recognisable paintings in the history of art, and have influenced and inspired countless artists, writers, and filmmakers.
But who was Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, and what motivated him to create these paintings? How did these paintings become so famous and iconic, and what do they mean? In this article, we will explore the story behind the Dogs Playing Poker paintings, and reveal some of the secrets and surprises behind these canine masterpieces.
The Life and Career of Cassius Marcellus Coolidge
Cassius Marcellus Coolidge was born in 1844 in Antwerp, New York. He had no formal art training, but he had a natural talent for drawing and painting. He started his career as a cartoonist, illustrator, and sign painter, working for various newspapers and magazines. He also tried his hand at various other professions, such as banker, pharmacist, and inventor. He even patented a device called the “Comic Foreground”, which was a large board with cut-out holes for people to insert their heads and pose for funny photographs.
Coolidge was also an avid poker player, and he often used his artistic skills to create humorous scenes of dogs playing poker. He first painted Poker Game in 1894, which showed four St. Bernards playing cards around a table. This painting was sold for $658,000 in 2015, making it the most expensive of the series. Coolidge continued to paint dogs playing poker and other games, such as pool, baseball, and golf, until 1910. He also painted dogs in other situations, such as dancing, reading, and smoking.
Coolidge’s paintings were not meant to be serious or realistic, but rather comical and satirical. He used dogs as a way to poke fun at human behaviour and society, and to comment on the themes of greed, deception, and competition. He also used dogs as a way to celebrate the diversity and personality of different breeds, and to appeal to the animal lovers and pet owners of his time.
The Popularity and Legacy of Dogs Playing Poker
Coolidge’s paintings were not widely appreciated or respected by the critics or the art world, who considered them to be kitsch, lowbrow, and commercial. However, they were very popular and successful among the general public, who found them to be amusing, entertaining, and relatable. Coolidge’s paintings were commissioned and distributed by the Brown & Bigelow company, which was a leading producer of calendars, posters, and advertising materials. Coolidge’s paintings were used to promote cigars, beer, and other products, and were given away as gifts and prizes to customers and clients.
Coolidge’s paintings were also widely reproduced and circulated, and soon became part of the American culture and folklore. They were seen and recognised by millions of people, who hung them in their homes, offices, and bars. They were also referenced and parodied by many artists, writers, and filmmakers, who used them as a source of inspiration and humour. Some of the famous examples of these references and parodies include:
The Simpsons, which featured several episodes and scenes that paid homage to Coolidge’s paintings, such as Homer’s Night Out, Treehouse of Horror IV, and The Springfield Files.
