The Art of Gambling – 5 famous art pieces that depict gambling.

The history of gambling probably goes back as far as the history of man, as far back as one early human betting another early human that he wouldn’t eat that strange thing that fell out the chicken’s butt – a bet that gave birth to omelettes and Eggs Benedict.

There are many famous people throughout history that have a connection to gambling. Famous authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky and Charles Bukowski; royalty like King Henry VII, King Charles II and King Louis XIV; politicians like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

But what of gambling in the arts? Is there a place for our favourite pastime on the walls of museums and galleries?

Surprisingly, the answer is a very definite yes.

We all know the now-famous ‘Dogs Playing Poker’ image by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, but not many of us know that gambling has inspired some of the greatest minds and works of the art world. And did you know that there is a whole series of dogs playing cards paintings?

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, A Friend In Need, 1903

Online South Africa Casinos brings you the 5 greatest art masterpieces that feature gambling:

Caravaggio – The Cardsharps

Caravaggio, The Cardsharps, 1594

Caravaggio was an Italian Baroque artist who painted some of the most recognisable masterpieces and is recofnised as one pf the most prominent and influential painters of his generation.

His 1594 piece, The Cardsharps, depicts two youths playing cards. One of the youths has extra cards hidden behind his back, while an older ‘accomplice’ can be seen signalling to him while looking at the other youth’s hand.

Cornelis de Vos – The card game

Cornelis de Vos, The card game, 1600 – 1651

Caravaggio’s influence on art can be seen in the artists who followed him. And gambling’s influence on art can be seen in their subject matter. Cornelis de Vos was a Flemish artist who was famous for his portraits. The card game is one of his pieces that can clearly be identified as being influenced by Caravaggio.

Edvard Munch – At the Roulette Table

Edvard Munch, At the Roulette Table in Monte Carlo, 1892

Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist most famous for his painting The Scream, spent many years travelling through Europe. His travels included time in Monte Carlo where he was a frequent visitor to the casino.

His experiences led to him painting a series of pieces influenced by the gambling and the people. At the Roulette Table in Monte Carlo is one that shows gamblers playing at roulette. There are two others, both seemingly titled Gamblers in Monte Carlo, that depict the atmosphere of 1890’s gambling salons.

Cézanne – The Card Players

Paul Cézanne, The Card Players, 1892 – 1893

Paul Cézanne was a French Post-Impressionist artist whose work was major influence on later artists and artistic movements. Pablo Picasso and Matisse were both heavily influence by Cézanne’s work.

The Card Players was a series of five oil paintings depicting working-class men in Provence, France as they take a break from their day and play cards. One of the paintings was sold in 2011 for the then-record price of US$250 million.

Edgar Degas – Before the Race

Edgar Degas, Before the Race, 1882 – 1884

Edgar Degas was French artist whose works included pastel drawing, oil painting, bronze sculptures, etchings and prints. He is famed as one of the founders of Impressionism and his drawings and paintings of ballerinas are rightly considered to be exquisite masterpieces.

One of his passions was the study of the movement of horses and led to a series of paintings and sculptures of racehorses and jockeys.