“It's important for a man to know how to swim. He is not doing so badly for a start. You could think it's a fish, at least while he is attached to the cord. But he'll learn it… he is still young!,” plate 5 from Les Baigneurs 1839

Honoré Daumier created “It's important for a man to know how to swim,” a lithograph, part of the series "Les Baigneurs." The scene is dominated by stark figures rendered in a crude, almost brutal style, which offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of 19th-century France. Daumier's manipulation of line and form becomes evident, particularly in his use of caricature to emphasize certain features, pushing the boundaries of realism. Observe how Daumier uses the bodies, their posture and physical appearance, to create a semiotic system of signs, offering commentary on class and social expectations. The figures are not merely physical representations but also embodiments of particular social roles and attitudes. Consider how Daumier’s lithograph challenges fixed meanings, prompting us to reflect on the values and categories that define a society. The work’s structural composition functions aesthetically, as well as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse, encouraging ongoing interpretation.