I knew Dogs Playing Poker but wondered if “Gus Nickerson” was the actual artist; it turns out Larson made it up and (according to this possibly spam website) later regretted not looking up the actual artist’s name (Cassius Marcellus Coolidge).

I wonder how many younger folks get the reference? Edit: The Dogs Playing Poker paintings were the backdrop of my childhood. Every house with a finished basement had these hanging on the wood paneling. Often with a wet bar and/or a poker, pool or ping pong table. So I got curious and so far have been down a shallow rabbit hole. Interesting findings:

Larson made up the Gus Nickerson name and later regretted it. The real artist is Cassius Marcellus Coolidge The paintings were done between 1894 and 1910. They were a hit in the 70’s

Far Side is almost always better without the caption.

i personally think: no caption, but a poodle is walking across the street, the artist nitices, and a lightbulb is above the head