This satirical composition presents an unlucky gambler at the center, in an expressive posture conveying his distress after losing his bets. The artist deploys in the background a panorama of the popular entertainments and wagers of the era: English boxing matches, dog fights, and cockfights. Through this staging, Desrais delivers a social critique of the customs of his time, illustrating the consequences of gambling and betting on individuals.

Claude-Louis Desrais, a Parisian illustrator and draftsman, excelled in depicting scenes of social customs and social satire. His work bears acute witness to Parisian life at the end of the 18th century, documenting both the fashions and popular entertainments of his era.