The "Dogs Playing Poker" series of paintings, created in the early 1900s by American artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, have become some of the most widely recognized and frequently parodied artworks in history. But who was the man behind these iconic images of card-playing canines? Let‘s explore the origins and significance of these quirky paintings that have stood the test of time.
Cassius Coolidge: From obscurity to pop culture fame
Born in 1844 in upstate New York, Cassius Coolidge was a largely self-taught artist who dabbled in a variety of odd jobs before pursuing his passion for painting full time. Though he had no formal training, Coolidge managed to make a living creating comics, advertising illustrations and even paintings of rural life.
But it was his tongue-in-cheek paintings of anthropomorphic dogs that eventually defined his career. As art critic Joanthan Jones describes:
"While he occupied a low tier of the artistic hierarchy, Coolidge demonstrated an innate grasp of what everyday Americans found amusing. With their poker faces, crooked cigars, and roguish gestures, the dogs exude a kind of charm that few artists of the period could match."
The first painting in what would become the iconic series was "Poker Game" from 1894, showing a solemn group of dogs playing cards in a wood-paneled room. Over the next decade, Coolidge expanded on the theme, completing 16 total oil paintings of poker-playing pooches commissioned by Brown & Bigelow publishing to advertise their cigars.
Little did he know these sly canines would launch him to fame beyond his wildest dreams.
The original 16 paintings that started it all
Coolidge‘s poker dog paintings feature articulated dogs mimicking human antics and gestures in humorous detail:
- A Bold Bluff – Staring down his opponents, one daring dog appears ready to go all in.
- Waterloo – A police raid interrupts a late-night underground poker game.
- A Friend in Need – A concerned friend arrives to rescue a drunk poker buddy.
- Pinched with Four Aces – A sneaky bulldog gets caught cheating with four aces up his sleeve.
- The Reunion – Old pals greet each other before sitting down to cards.
- His Station and Four Aces – Dressed in proper gentlemen‘s attire, a smug bulldog rakes in his winning hand.
- One to Tie Two to Win – Deep in concentration, a poker champion eyes his cards and wager.
- Sitting up with a Sick Friend – Loyal friends keep their unwell pal company for a game.
- Stranger in Camp – A wanderer happens upon a risky round of poker in the woods.
- Ten Miles to a Garage – After their car breaks down, buddies settle in for poker while they wait for repairs.
And those are just a few! Each painting builds on an amusing scenario, enhanced by the dogs‘ priceless expressions of surprise, concentration and sneaky mischief. Coolidge clearly had a knack for using humor and exaggeration to bring these poker game stories to life.
Why the paintings became a runaway success
So how did these lowbrow paintings of card-shark dogs gain such legendary popularity?
As Sotheby‘s European sculpture specialist Gregory Rubinstein explains:
"Coolidge made the mistake of making poker players look like cute dogs. Irony and cute don‘t usually mix, but in this case they created something iconic and enduring."
The paintings emerged at just the right moment to capture public interest. Poker was rising in popularity in America in the early 1900s, so the subject matter was relatable. The humorous conceit of seeing uncivilized dogs taking part in a gentlemen‘s game added just the right twist.
Beyond the entertainment value, some historians say the paintings provided a sly commentary on perceived immorality in middle-class America at the time. Yet the cute dogs and playful spirit made any social critique palatable.
The paintings proved so amusing and appealing that Brown & Bigelow‘s advertising campaign was a smash success, cementing Coolidge‘s unlikely rise to fame as the "poker dog guy." As interest in poker exploded in 20th century America, so did the popularity of his poker pooches.
Record-breaking auction prices
In recent decades, the original Coolidge poker dog paintings have become highly coveted collector‘s items that continue to break auction records.
In 2005, the pair "A Bold Bluff" and "Waterloo" sold together for a stunning $590,400. At a 2015 auction, his painting "Sitting Up with a Sick Friend" fetched $658,000. And there seems to be no stopping the skyrocketing demand – as RT broadcaster Peter Lavelle notes, "Today the value of these paintings has far exceeded any expectations Coolidge would have had when he put brush to canvas."
| Painting | Sale Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| A Bold Bluff and Waterloo | $590,400 | 2005 |
| Sitting Up with a Sick Friend | $658,000 | 2015 |
| Poker Sympathy | $571,000 | 2007 |
| A Friend in Need | $539,000 | 2010 |
Coolidge could hardly have imagined that his humble poker dog paintings would one day become poker chip-shaped goldmines.
Lasting legacy and influence
Though often dismissed as kitschy novelties during his lifetime, Coolidge‘s brilliantly conceived illustrations stand the test of time. The sheer ubiquity of the images in today‘s pop culture reveal his broad and lasting imprint.
The poker pooches have graced endless posters, shirts, coffee mugs and kitschy home decor. They have starred in TV ads, inspired tattoo designs, and been reimagined in countless artistic tributes and parodies. The original paintings even feature prominently in the opening credits of popular TV drama Las Vegas.
As curator Jessica Hammer notes, "Much to the art world‘s chagrin, Coolidge‘s eccentric paintings have proven far more enduring than those of many of his ‘higher art‘ peers."
Beyond the mass merchandising and pop references though, Coolidge‘s pioneering anthropomorphic art style opened the door for later artists to also humanize animals in their work for humorous effect. From the exotic human-like scenes of Walton Ford‘s wildlife paintings to the comical expressive pets of Jon Cecchettini, we can trace this approach back to Coolidge‘s visionary poker dogs.
Though the "high brow" art world may turn up their noses at Coolidge‘s lowbrow poker paintings, there‘s no denying these clever canines have cemented their place in the cultural zeitgeist. Coolidge created an instantly accessible, amusing form of art that people could not only understand, but wholeheartedly embrace.
My take: An enduring stroke of genius
As a lifelong game enthusiast myself, I‘m tickled by the genius concept behind Dogs Playing Poker. Coolidge truly tapped into a wellspring of humor that resonates across ages. The fact that a series created over a century ago still delights and captivates modern audiences shows its timeless appeal.
Beyond the initial novelty, I believe the paintings have remained so iconic thanks to the nuances of the dogs‘ expressions. Their wry smiles, stoic stares and sly side-eyes speak volumes, seeming to reflect the unspoken "tells" and bluffs inherent to poker. Coolidge expertly boiled complex human emotions down into simple but vivid doggy faces that anyone can relate to.
While the fine art community may neglect him, I consider Cassius Coolidge right up there with Norman Rockwell in capturing everyday Americana. You can‘t help but feel nostalgic looking back on these lighthearted scenes of the early 20th century brought to life through anthropomorphic mischief.
The values of loyalty, friendship and good-humored fun at the core of his poker dog paintings seem distinctly timeless. To me, Coolidge‘s enduring Dogs Playing Poker series stands as nothing short of an iconic stroke of offbeat genius.
