From almost the dawn of human civilisation, gambling has been a part of human existence in one form or another. Whether it is playing cards, rolling dice or any other form, gambling has always played a part in the lives of humans. How gambling is perceived though is an interesting subject. Gambling, especially in the past was often perceived as a sin (although it was still widely practiced). Historical works of art have often showcased gambling, many artists would associate gambling with negative connotations such as violence and mental suffering, although this did not stop people from gambling just like a huge amount of the population today enjoy gambling. The 21st century has witnessed gambling become widespread and normalised.
Indeed, gambling has become so normalised in some parts of the world, in Scandinavia particularly, where people are encouraged to gamble by their governments – a gambling tax means money spent by gamblers goes back into the country through scholarships and into governmental projects etc. At the same time, iGaming - which these days includes not only classic casino games like blackjack and poker, but increasingly sophisticated and story-driven slots, such as Starburst and Pixies of the Forest - has become one of the most profitable industries online.
Inspired by how the depiction of gambling has varied over the centuries, this article seeks to explore how art from the 15th century up until the present day has portrayed gambling.
“The Crucifixion,” 15th century
Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna’s painting The Crucifixion, portrays gambling in everyday life and how gamblers themselves are perceived. The juxtaposition of Jesus on the cross and the soldiers gambling on the floor is very telling of human life. This painting may signify that people who gamble create nothing and only destroy, whereas heroes almost never gamble at all because they are always busy with something meaningful - the Roman soldiers disregarding what they have done to the absolute epitome of holiness portrays this image clearly.
The painting is not interested in portraying the cruelty of the Roman legionnaires who are playing a game of dice for the clothes of Jesus Christ, it is about the indifference of the soldiers. The dying son of God is right next to them whilst they are passing their time as usual by gambling and playing dice.
“The King of Diamonds,” 21st century
Mark Mallia
The King of Diamonds is a striking painting by Maltese artist Mark Mallia. Although the painting does not depict gambling in everyday life as such, it is obviously inspired by the King of Diamonds from a deck of playing cards. The painting portrays the King of Diamonds in abstract form with the diamond shape featuring prominently in the picture. The two distinguishable eyes in the painting are striking in as much that they make Mallia’s King of Diamonds appear as extremely untrustworthy and devious. The eyes are often called the window to the soul, but Mallia’s King of Diamonds shows two different eyes, one; an empty and lifeless black colour, the other full of life; a beautiful arctic blue but staring, bulbous and inquisitive. Perhaps Mallia’s King of Diamonds doesn’t have a soul.
In cartomancy, aka fortune telling, the King of Diamonds is often depicted as a book-keeper and a banker and in this we are perhaps given a glimpse into the artists thoughts. This painting could be the artist hitting out against politics in his home country of Malta. Maltese politics has become notoriously corrupt much to the despair of many ordinary Maltese citizens. The stench of car bombs and mafia violence lingers on in the country of Malta, a country which is also a popular tourist destination. Perhaps the King of Diamonds here is a politician, the King of Diamonds is certainly an authority figure given that he is a king and Mark Mallia’s portrayal of the king; a soulless, empty, two-faced figure in a position of power is a perfect metaphor for politicians in Malta in 2019. At the same time, perhaps Mallia painted a grotesque looking King of Diamonds in protest to the iGaming companies which have flooded Malta due to the low levels of corporation tax on the island. Does the artist have the idea that gambling has come into Malta and corrupted its soul and has turned the country into the figure that you can see in the picture. The painting pictured above is one of four in the artists black canvas collection.
“Playing Dice,” 16th century
Master Jean de Mauleon
Paintings depicting gambling in the past have often had undertones of violence and greed in them. Gambling is as much a part of human nature as violence and alcohol consumption is - often all three come hand in hand. Jean de Mauleon’s painting, Playing Dice depicts certainly a moderate undertone of violence. The ripped yellow trousers of the man on the left and the dagger on his hip portrays an element of foreboding. The finger pointing also hints at aggression and there is an uneasiness surrounding all the figures in the painting. It is hard to tell what social background the figures in the painting are from. They are certainly not peasants given their attire and surroundings, although the figure with the dagger looks more ragged than the rest.
Playing dice was a feature in French aristocratic life as well as in the lower class. Through the ages, gambling has been a part of life for all classes of people and has been depicted in various ways. De Mauleon’s scene is by no means the worst that gambling has been illustrated and it is neutral compared to other paintings of the time. However, the artist seems to hint that where there is gambling, there is also likely to be violence.
“The Gaming House,” 18th century
William Beckford
It is fair to say that William Beckford did not hold gambling in high esteem. Indeed, he saw it as a bane of human existence.
William Beckford’s painting The Gaming House is part of his eight-part series about the fictional character Tom Rakeford. The series follows Rakeford from the moment he inherits a vast amount of wealth trailing up to his plummet into debauchery, greed and finally madness. The first painting begins with the characters inheritance of wealth, the paintings that follow depict his gluttonous and excessive lifestyle due to his newly inherited wealth. The fifth painting showcases Rakeford marrying a rich woman purely for her wealth, the sixth painting (above) portrays Rakeford gambling away all his wealth before the following two paintings depict him in prison and then at the madhouse.
The artist saw gambling as a step forward into the loss of money and stature and a vice that has taken many people into chaos.
“The Card Players,” 19th century
Paul Cezanne
Paul Cezanne’s The Card Players are a series of paintings depicting the everday lives of normal people. Whereas depictions of gambling in the past have been associated with an undertone of violence, dispair and deceitfulness, Cezanne depicts gambling in a more civilised and peaceful setting with stonefaced players in a setting without any drama.
Unlike gambling depictions in the past, there is an absence of alcohol and money, perhaps Cezanne is trying to portray a peaceful version of the everyday lives of normal people. Or maybe he is just attempting to showcase the helplessness of the common folk and how they have succumbed and come to terms with their place in life – that is playing cards with their friends or colleagues simply as a way to pass the time.
It is clear that humankinds association with gambling has lasted for thousands of years. Despite the chaos and misery that it can bring to lives, gambling is a large aspect of human scoiety and this does not look like coming to a halt anytime soon. From peasants to kings, gambling has been a part of human beings past, it continues to be part of our present and will certainly be a part of our future.