“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

“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!” is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier from his series “Les Baigneurs” (The Bathers). The print shows a group of men learning to swim, illustrating Daumier’s satirical commentary on society and everyday life. The humorous caption emphasizes the awkwardness of the scene, highlighting the men’s clumsiness and their efforts to master a seemingly simple skill. This print is one of the numerous works Daumier produced, showcasing his mastery of caricature and lithography, making him a prominent figure of 19th-century French art.