To Swim like a Dog

Category

Library Item

Item no

24705

Title

To Swim like a Dog, Figure 15 from The Art of Swimming

Description

A drawing of a naked figure immersed in water illustrating a swimming technique described in the 17th century volume, 'The Art of Swimming'.

Artist / maker

Thevenot, Melchisedech

Date

1699

Size

5.8 x 8.8 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Reference Library

The accompanying text reads: You are not to imagine that this way is difficult, for it is so far from it, that several who never knew how to Swim before, in practising of it by chance, have kept themselves above water. To Swim like a Dog, you must elevate or lift up and depress one hand successively after another, and do the same also with your Feet, only with this difference, that with your Hands you must draw the water towards you, and with your Feet drive it from you; you must begin with the right hand and right foot, and afterwards with the left hand and foot, and so successively. This way of Swimming is very useful for disengaging ones self from Weeds under water.

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Related images

Related subjects

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Men

Sport and leisure > Activities > Swimming

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