If you were under the impression that great works of art needs divine inspiration to be birthed into creation, think again. For some of the world’s greatest works of artistic brilliance was inspired by none other than the world of gambling, going hand-in-hand already since the 15th century. Although paintings as old as The Crucifixion done by Andrea Mantegna painted in 1467, showcases a couple of gamblers in the crowd, playing with dice. Somewhere between 1571 and 1610 gambling inspired Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and the Gamblers were set for eternity in oil on canvas. Later on, in the mid-1890s, The Card Players make up for an entire series by Paul Cézanne. The following are all great works of art, where the muse must have been a gambling temptress.

The Cardsharps

Painted during the sixteenth century also by Merisi da Caravaggio, this painting delivers a unique peek into the world of gambling of that time. The painting illustrates a group of young boys who are engaged in playing cards. The one boy is emphasized as the one who has drawn an extra ticket, and an older man is also depicted watching the group of youngsters, watching the hand of one player over his shoulder and indicating the odds to another player who we assume is related. The painting is described as a brilliant infusion of the world of arts with gambling. An ordinary game of cards was captured with artistic brilliance and transformed into a captivating drama. Truly delivering on the beauty of art.

The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs

A masterpiece by painting genius Georges de la Tour. It is estimated that the work of art was created somewhere between 1626 and 1629. Two ladies are immersed in a game of cards with a gentleman. The painting portrays, however, a storyline much more profound as it is telling the story of how the gentleman is not as noble as one would like to believe since he manages to distract the ladies from the game just enough to allow him to hide away many A’s in his belt. Even though the ladies’ expression indicates that they are slightly wary of the man’s honesty and yet can’t pinpoint his offence. The picture has been described as a walking and talking work of art and deserving of a reprint in 1635. After some changes were made to the original piece, it was renamed appropriately as The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds.

Dogs Playing Poker

The 19th-century creation by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. The painting illustrates dogs involved in a game of poker. In total, a series of 18 paintings are combined to make up the entire image. Although the initial thoughts about the work were ridden with critique, it later on increased tremendously in value and was sold for $658 000 in 2015 at an auction in New York, setting a record in the world of art prices.