A Waterloo 1903

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge made this painting, called ‘A Waterloo’ with oil on canvas, though the exact date is unknown. It's one of a series of anthropomorphic dogs playing poker. What strikes me is how Coolidge used the dark, rich tones to create a sense of old-world drama. The texture of the painting is smooth, almost slick, which gives it this glossy, theatrical feel. Look at the dog on the left, dealing the cards, there's a real concentration in his eyes and the way he's gripping his cigar. Coolidge manages to make these dogs expressive through small details like the furrow of a brow or the glint of an eye. It's all so calculated and carefully rendered, it’s a perfect example of kitsch, but there’s something unsettling about the way the dogs’ faces resemble human expressions. You might see echoes of Norman Rockwell in Coolidge’s work, but with a weird, surreal twist. Ultimately, this painting, like all good art, leaves us with questions, rather than answers.