You undoubtedly know about the paintings with dogs playing poker. It’s been a pop culture symbol for many years, and only a few people worldwide don’t know what it is about. However, even fewer know the captivating story behind it and the name of Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, its creator.
The whole thing started as a series of advertisements for a Brown & Bigelow campaign involving cigars. Cassius was commissioned to create a series of paintings that achieved the target and became iconic in American art and pop culture. This article will reveal the fascinating details surrounding the paintings and their journey!
Cassius Marcellus Coolidge History
The man behind the famous paintings was born on September 18, 1844, in Antwerp, New York. Interestingly, he didn’t have much formal training to become an artist. He grew up at the family farm and helped his parents with day-to-day chores.
However, he decided to leave the farm in 1860 and pursued several careers. He started as a pharmacist and a sign painter before founding a bank and a newspaper. His first contact with art happened in his twenties when he created cartoons for a local newspaper. However, it wasn’t until the collaboration with advertising firm Brown & Bigelow that Cassius started his way towards stardom.
Between 1905 and 1910, he created a series of sixteen oil paintings with anthropomorphic dogs, nine depicting dogs playing poker. Despite his significant contribution to the art world, Coolidge remained largely unrecognized during his lifetime, a consequence of his unconventional career path and the limited acclaim his works received outside of “Dogs Playing Poker.”
The Impact of Dogs Playing Poker on Pop Culture
“Dogs Playing Poker” has become one of the most popular and widely reproduced art pieces, exceeding its original purpose to captivate a vast audience. Its significance was highlighted in 2018 when it was featured on the north tower of the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, showcasing the interconnection of art, humor, and gambling culture. Of course, you don’t expect a dog to sit at a poker table or do tricks to get casino bonuses instead of treats. That makes the entire series so appealing to the audience and is one of the reasons it became a pop-culture item.
The artwork “Poker Game” is particularly noteworthy in this collection. It achieved an impressive sale price of $658,000 at an auction in 2015. The series also features other distinguished works, such as “Pinched with Four Aces” and “A Friend in Need.” These pieces showcase dogs engaged in poker and other communal pastimes as a humorous commentary on human behaviors and shortcomings.
In addition, “Dogs Playing Poker” has become a well-known example of kitsch art in American culture. It is often referenced as a quintessential representation of this art form. Art critic Annette Ferrara has described the series as leaving a lasting impression on the American psyche, embodying a unique combination of humor, satire, and distinctly American themes.
The series of paintings in question has profoundly impacted popular culture, with its influence extending to numerous TV shows and movies. Notably, the paintings have been referenced in iconic TV series like “Cheers” and “The Simpsons,” as well as in acclaimed films like “The Thomas Crown Affair.” These references underscore the artwork’s timeless appeal and cultural significance, which continues to captivate audiences across generations.
Coolidge’s Artistic Legacy
Kash Coolidge, or simply Kash, as he would often sign his works, was inspired by the techniques used by Caravaggio and Cézanne in his art. However, his unique style lies in the anthropomorphization of dogs, which adds humor and human characteristics to his animal portrayals, making them engaging to viewers.
Created for promotional purposes, his artworks have gained recognition for their distinctive style and cultural impact within the art community. The increasing value of original works, as seen in the 2005 auction of “A Bold Bluff” and “Waterloo” for $590,400, highlights their status as highly sought-after collectible art pieces.
Aside from this iconic series, Coolidge’s “Kelly Pool” (1909) is also notable. Although he made significant artistic contributions, his works received substantial recognition and acclaim only after his death.
Final Words
Cassius Marcellus Coolidge became known for his famous “Dogs Playing Poker” paintings. These paintings, which merge humor and social critique, are still popular today. This demonstrates how great artistic skill can withstand the test of time and transcend formal acknowledgment. Some may argue he had a sense of foresight. Gambling, particularly in its online form, is a contentious one in the United States today.