The artwork titled “A Waterloo” by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, created in 1903, belongs to the “Dogs Playing Poker” series. This painting exemplifies the Kitsch art movement and falls under the genre of animal painting.
In the artwork, a group of anthropomorphized dogs is depicted playing poker around a table in what appears to be a domestic setting, complete with green curtains and framed pictures on the wall. The dogs, each of various breeds, are sitting upright in chairs, intently engaged in the game. The expressions and postures of the dogs convey a sense of narrative and emotion, giving the scene both humor and drama. The focal point of the scene is a larger dog standing in the center with a shocked expression, suggesting a pivotal or losing moment in the game. The use of vibrant colors and attention to detail in the characters’ fur and attire further enhances the whimsical and exaggerated nature common to Kitsch art.
