The infamous title Dogs Playing Poker (1895-1903) refers to a series of 18 paintings by American artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (1844-1934), which all feature anthropomorphized dogs seated around a card table. With no formal art training, his paintings were never considered by critics to be ‘true’ art, but have maintained an iconic place within American pop culture. His 1903 version, with the subtitle A Friend in Need, plays into themes typical of painted representations of card players. The central dog gives a sly, sidelong glance towards its left, giving the suggestion of a playful deceit for “man’s best friend.”

Learn more about the work that inspired this pin HERE.