Man met zwembanden is bang om het water in te gaan Possibly 1842 - 1848

Editor: This lithograph, "Man met zwembanden is bang om het water in te gaan," which translates to "Man with Swim Tubes is Afraid to Enter the Water," is by Honoré Daumier, likely created sometime between 1842 and 1848. I find it comical yet also a bit melancholic. What do you see in this piece, considering its historical context? Curator: Well, Daumier was a master of social commentary. This print, situated within the Romantic and Realist movements, speaks volumes about societal anxieties surrounding modernity and leisure. Notice the man’s hesitant posture amidst the apparent joviality of other bathers. The contrast is key. What could this hesitancy suggest about the culture of the time? Editor: Perhaps it highlights the societal pressure to conform to new, perhaps unfamiliar, leisure activities, even when one feels uncomfortable? The man almost seems paralyzed by fear. Curator: Precisely. Daumier was often critical of the bourgeoisie. In this context, the swim tubes, intended for enjoyment and relaxation, become symbols of the pressures and anxieties of fitting into a particular social class and demonstrating 'proper' behavior. What's your take on the expressions of the children in the image? Editor: They appear either oblivious or mocking, furthering that sense of alienation the man must be feeling. The text reinforces this. I missed this element entirely on the first inspection of this image. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for reminding us how readily art captures these everyday political moments. There is profound discomfort expressed, still resonant today.