“- I was told to go to the cold batha to lose weight. - You don't say, I was just told the opposite. - Maybe they are good for everything this year! - True for everything, except cleanliness," plate 39 from Croquis D'été 1858

Honoré Daumier sketched this lithograph titled “Croquis D'été” in the 19th century, capturing a scene at a public bath. The bath itself is a potent symbol, historically viewed as a place of purification and communal gathering, but here, it is tinged with irony. Note the varied body types and expressions – some figures plunge into the water with abandon, while others converse with skepticism. This contrast echoes the ancient motif of the 'divided self', mirroring internal conflicts and societal contradictions. The bath, once a site of ritual cleansing, now becomes a stage for social commentary, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols: how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different epochs. The emotional weight lies in Daumier’s subtle critique, inviting us to reflect on the ever-changing rituals of society and the perennial human struggle with vanity.