Rowlandson did a large number of watercolours on the subject of gambling, ranging in date from the early 1780s to the end of his career and in subject from low-life gatherings involving violence to upper-class meetings at such places as Brooks where the reactions of the losers are rather more discreet. This example comes into the latter category, and both setting and general demeanour are close to the Gaming Table at Devonshire House, signed and dated 1791, now in the Metropolitan Museum, New York