Cassius Marcellus Coolidge: The Painter of Poker Dogs Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (1844-1934) stands as a singular figure in American illustration and art history—a master of capturing humor and nostalgia through deceptively simple compositions. Though largely self-taught, Coolidge achieved international renown for his series of paintings depicting dogs playing poker, cementing his place as one of the progenitors of modern meme culture and an enduring symbol of Americana. Early Life & Influences Born in Antwerp, New York—a town steeped in Quaker heritage—Coolidge’s upbringing instilled a de…