Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, an instantly recognizable commercial painter who has given the world the series of Dogs Playing Poker, was born in 1844, into a family of abolitionist Quaker farmers and was named after one of the most eloquent orators against slavery, nicknamed (with provisional anthropomorphism) "The Lion of White Hall." Nicknamed "Cash" by friends and kin, he had no official training whatsoever, but was very active, publishing drawings in papers before he was 20.
In 1903 he was commissioned a series of paintings on his favorite theme: mastiffs and Saint Bernards engaged in human activity. On nine of the sixteen paintings well bred and mannered dogs drink beer and whiskey, smoke cigars and pipes, and play five-card draw poker. Furry and in fur coats or flannel suits, they usually fill a cozy room with the only source of light being a shaded lamp above the table.
These reasonably well-behaved gentlemen are members of an established, respectable class of town folk, who though certainly not stodgy, are quite proper enough. If you can conjure up Sergio Leone's movie "Once Upon a Time in America," you are in the right time period. But the artist is not focusing on the greed and dark violence of the illegal underground clubs depicted in Leone's movie. He allows poker to come out of the darkness of all this into a more wholesome, mainstream faction of society where decent folk who may be wagering on a game, are certainly not into it for more than a few token pennies, and are indulging in a rare sip of whiskey and small pipe or cigar while their wives are away. By this time, poker was becoming a respectable and common pastime for most American males. It was no longer viewed as just as way to make a quick, risky and dangerous buck.
As early as 1875, respectable persons attended major night-time poker sessions. At least one monthly, Poker Chips, was dedicated to the game and most periodicals published related articles. At the turn of the century, unified rules for draw-poker were for the first time spread among all poker clubs. Reporters suggested that baseball had ceased to be the national game.
Gradually, unrelated to any criminal associations, the ability to play poker and the ability to wield a gun became the staple talents of any real man. Men who played good poker were usually likewise good soldiers, good sheriffs, and good politicians. In the spring of 1918, in Europe, the game was the most popular mode of entertainment among Harry Truman and his two million troops. Truman perfected his draw and stud poker as an artillery officer. When the peace treaty was signed, waiting to be shipped home, he and his combat friends spent the time at endless games of poker which they continued even after arrival home.
At that time, the prevailing view was to equate the ability to take risks at the table, to bet big, play smart, and bluff, (profitably, of course!) to the ability to survive in battle, in dangerous occupations like law enforcement, or do any job requiring a good brain and strong muscles.
Coolidge had ample opportunity to observe the types, the clothes, the cards, and the basement clubs where games were regularly held. Adding a vivid touch of anthropomorphic humor, he created memorable representations of the middle class enjoying a game by then at least 200 years old.
In 1903 he was commissioned a series of paintings on his favorite theme: mastiffs and Saint Bernards engaged in human activity. On nine of the sixteen paintings well bred and mannered dogs drink beer and whiskey, smoke cigars and pipes, and play five-card draw poker. Furry and in fur coats or flannel suits, they usually fill a cozy room with the only source of light being a shaded lamp above the table.
These reasonably well-behaved gentlemen are members of an established, respectable class of town folk, who though certainly not stodgy, are quite proper enough. If you can conjure up Sergio Leone's movie "Once Upon a Time in America," you are in the right time period. But the artist is not focusing on the greed and dark violence of the illegal underground clubs depicted in Leone's movie. He allows poker to come out of the darkness of all this into a more wholesome, mainstream faction of society where decent folk who may be wagering on a game, are certainly not into it for more than a few token pennies, and are indulging in a rare sip of whiskey and small pipe or cigar while their wives are away. By this time, poker was becoming a respectable and common pastime for most American males. It was no longer viewed as just as way to make a quick, risky and dangerous buck.
As early as 1875, respectable persons attended major night-time poker sessions. At least one monthly, Poker Chips, was dedicated to the game and most periodicals published related articles. At the turn of the century, unified rules for draw-poker were for the first time spread among all poker clubs. Reporters suggested that baseball had ceased to be the national game.
Gradually, unrelated to any criminal associations, the ability to play poker and the ability to wield a gun became the staple talents of any real man. Men who played good poker were usually likewise good soldiers, good sheriffs, and good politicians. In the spring of 1918, in Europe, the game was the most popular mode of entertainment among Harry Truman and his two million troops. Truman perfected his draw and stud poker as an artillery officer. When the peace treaty was signed, waiting to be shipped home, he and his combat friends spent the time at endless games of poker which they continued even after arrival home.
At that time, the prevailing view was to equate the ability to take risks at the table, to bet big, play smart, and bluff, (profitably, of course!) to the ability to survive in battle, in dangerous occupations like law enforcement, or do any job requiring a good brain and strong muscles.
Coolidge had ample opportunity to observe the types, the clothes, the cards, and the basement clubs where games were regularly held. Adding a vivid touch of anthropomorphic humor, he created memorable representations of the middle class enjoying a game by then at least 200 years old.
About the Author:
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Betfair Rakeback as well as Red Star Rakeback.
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