Plate Number 10. Walking 1887

Eadweard Muybridge made this photographic print, titled "Plate Number 10. Walking," in the late 19th century. This image is part of a series that aimed to capture and analyze human and animal movement, reflecting the scientific and technological interests of the time. The photograph presents a sequence of images showing a nude man walking, captured from the side, front, and back. Created in the United States, this work was groundbreaking in its use of photography to dissect motion, a pursuit driven by the era's fascination with understanding and documenting the natural world. It also reflects the influence of institutions such as universities and zoological societies that funded this type of research. Moreover, these images circulated as popular entertainment and began to be used as references for artists. To truly understand this piece, one must delve into archives and period publications, uncovering its initial purpose, reception, and the broader socio-cultural implications of Muybridge's work.