To beat Water

Category

Library Item

Item no

24706

Title

To beat Water, Figure 16 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

6.0 x 8.4 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Reference Library

The accompanying text reads: You strike the Water with your right and left Legs; the manner of it is very pleasant, when Swimming on the back, at each Extension of the Legs, lifting them up out of the water one after the other, you strike the water so that it rebounds up into the air. Those that are most expert at this bring their Chins towards their breast at each extension. There are some who not satisfied with going so far only, to perform the business more gracefully, lift up their Legs much higher than others, strike the Water, each Extension, sometimes with the right Leg, sometimes with the left, and at the same time turn the whole body.

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Related subjects

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Men

Sport and leisure > Activities > Swimming

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