Going to the swimming pool just for the development of one's muscles, from 'Summer sketches,' published in Le Charivari, August 10, 1865
Original title: Going to the swimming pool just for the development of one's muscles, from 'Summer sketches,' published in Le Charivari, August 10, 1865
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1865 lithograph takes us into a swimming pool scene where a lanky man shows off his muscles while two others watch. The print belongs to the 'Summer Sketches' series and appeared in the satirical magazine Le Charivari.
Description
Your eye is first drawn to the slim bather, who holds a tense pose and emphasizes his muscles. To the side stands a person holding a shirt, scrutinizing the figure. A third, stoutly built character observes from the background. Water and a bridge suggest the setting. Gray tones and clear lines define the print.
Context
On August 10, 1865, the lithograph appeared in Le Charivari, a French satirical magazine for which Daumier worked regularly. It is part of the 'Summer Sketches' series, which humorously took up Parisian summer experiences. This impression is the second state of two (Delteil) and was printed on newsprint.
Impact
The joke arises from the contrast between the skinny man showing off his muscles and the two observers. Clear contours and the sparing gray scale direct attention to gesture and facial expression. Thus the satirical intent stands out clearly.
Technique
A lithograph printed on newsprint. The process allows fine lines and a graded gray scale, typical of Daumier's work. Delteil records the print as the second state.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)