A group of people gambling 1770 - 1800

This print of a group of people gambling was made by Pellegrino dal Colle in the late 18th century. During this period, gambling was a widespread social issue in Europe, often associated with the lower classes and moral decay. Here, Colle depicts a scene of intense desperation. What strikes me most is the mix of hope and despair etched on the faces of the gamblers. One man throws up his arms in anguish as he seemingly loses everything, while others look on with a mix of greed and anticipation. The act of gambling itself is a performance of both hope and risk, offering a temporary escape. Gambling was a form of male sociability, yet the presence of women speaks to the complex ways gender and class intertwine. The artist captures the emotional rollercoaster of chasing fortune, a deeply human desire that often leads to ruin. Colle's print serves as both a commentary on the social ills of his time and a reflection on the timeless human condition.