Gambling clubs captivate players with the excitement of winning and the risk of losing. Gambling clubs and casino establishments captivate players with the excitement of winning and the risk of losing.
Not only do the games themselves inspire gambling, but the overall atmosphere inside the establishment – with the bright lights, sounds of slot machines, and the buzz of activity – becomes a source of excitement and inspiration.
So it’s no surprise that casinos are becoming a muse for some famous artists. Many of them have created works of art depicting certain aspects of gambling, such as bustling casinos, high-stakes poker games, and other moments that reflect the beauty of the activity.
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So it’s no surprise that casinos are becoming a muse for some famous artists. Many of them have created works of art depicting certain aspects of gambling. They have created images of bustling casinos, high-stakes poker games, and other moments that reflect the beauty of gambling.
If you’re interested in learning more about this, continue reading this material.
What’s the link between art and casinos?
Art and casinos may seem like different things at first glance, but they do overlap and influence each other. For starters, casinos are often designed to be visually appealing and exciting, much like works of art.
The architecture, lighting, and decor are not random. They are carefully chosen to create a certain atmosphere and mood. The aim is to create the same feel in a casino as in a work of art:
- luxury;
- enchantment;
- emotion;
In many cases, casinos also showcase art as part of their design. You may see paintings, sculptures or other works of art displayed in the public areas of the casino. These are often chosen to complement the overall aesthetic of the establishment and enhance the experience.
But it is not only the physical space of the casino that is associated with art. Many games can be considered works of art in and of themselves. Many people consider the intricate design of slot machines to be pure art.
There is often a lot of creativity and craftsmanship involved in creating these games.
Gambling artworks that are worth seeing
Here are some of the most popular pieces of gambling art.
They are sure to pique your interest and possibly change your perception of this pastime in general:
Gamblers, 1595
Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)
The Gamblers depicts how gambling is fraught with fraud if you don’t keep an eye on your opponents.
The painting, created by Caravaggio, depicted his subjects in a novelistic manner, showing how simple gestures and looks can cause deception. If you look closely, you can find three players amusing themselves in the game of primero (the forerunner of poker) in the painting.
The man on the left is the victim. Because he is completely absorbed in his cards, he does not see that the “cheat” is already signaling to his accomplice, who pulls out a card hidden behind his back.
Cheats have spawned many paintings with related subjects all over Europe, including “The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs” by Georges de La Tour.
The painting was originally in the possession of Cardinal del Monte until 1627. After his death, the whereabouts remained unknown until it was discovered in 1987 in a private collection in Europe.
Dogs playing poker, 1894
Artist: Cassius Marcellus Coolidge
Dogs Playing Poker is a collection of sixteen oil paintings commissioned by Brown & Bigelow.
These works were part of an advertisement for the company’s cigars. This painting has been depicted and reproduced in many films, theatre, and television shows as well as other popular cultures. Some have even recreated the painting to serve as a backdrop in their homes.
At the roulette table, 1892
Painter: Edward Munch
Edward Munch made this painting in his early twenties when he was still developing his signature style.
The painting depicts a group of people surrounding a roulette table. Many believe that Munch was able to portray the extravagance of the Monte Carlo casino because he often associated himself with the most famous people in Western Europe.
According to some research, Munch often appeared in casinos and even described his adventures in detail in his diaries. He shared his thoughts on the game of roulette, believing it to be a game where one could win or lose money in a matter of seconds.
Players at Cards, 1890-92
Painter: Paul Cézanne
When talking about works of art related to gambling, it would be a sin not to mention Paul Cézanne’s masterpiece, The Card Players.
Created by the artist in the last decade of the 19th century, the painting drew inspiration from early works by Caravaggio and Coolidge, effectively conveying the raw emotion of ordinary people, from drinking in bars to socializing with friends and colleagues to playing cards.
For many, his work on this particular piece of gambling art is his most popular. It depicts two men enjoying a game of cards in a bar. While the painting may seem quite ordinary, it perfectly captures the emotions of the players enjoying their leisure time.
Like Coolidge, Cézanne’s work is a series of masterpieces, each with its own uniqueness and appeal.
Queen of the slot machines, 2011
Artist: Shelley Wilkerson
Although many say that ‘Slot Machine Queen’ is not a significant work of art, it is still among the most popular pieces of gambling art that show that gambling transcends age and sex.
For many, gambling is always associated with a group of men willing to put huge sums of money on the line.
But gambling can also be a form of leisure, a form of entertainment that even old ladies enjoy. Wilkerson’s work, as the title suggests, depicts an elderly lady with her cat enjoying a game of slot machines with a drink in her hand.
An argument over a card game, 1665
Artist: Jan Steen
Among the famous works of gambling art is Jan Steen’s A Dispute over a Game of Cards, painted in 1665. The canvas shows that while gambling can show camaraderie between players, it can also be the root cause of quarrels.
Gambling can lead to chaos, and Steen has captured this with realistic expression in the characters in the painting. This is one piece of gambling art, showing the anger a player feels when he loses a bet or learns of cheating.
As you can see, some people, including a child, try to stop the fight from getting any more serious. The addition of a dog with its surprised look reinforced the visual message of this work of gambling art.
Gambling as an expression of art
Gambling and art are linked. For avid gamblers, placing bets, choosing the most likely winner, developing a strategy, and the feeling of winning is very similar to what most artists go through.
Many artists place bets on what subjects and themes they will work on, hoping that their work will appeal to buyers. They choose the most likely favorite among their work, which will help them get more money and orders.
Artists also need to develop and hone their strategies when it comes to painting, from simple works of art to highly controversial ones such as gambling art. Finally, they feel the same sense of victory when their work receives the recognition it deserves.