Plate Number 257. Lying on the ground 1887

Eadweard Muybridge created "Plate Number 257. Lying on the ground," as part of his extended study, "Animal Locomotion". Made with albumen silver print, this work emerged in an era of scientific inquiry and rapidly developing photographic technology. Muybridge, who was known for his innovative techniques, sought to capture and analyze movement, especially human and animal locomotion. He wanted to break down actions into discrete phases, which were invisible to the naked eye. By doing this, Muybridge challenged conventional understandings of the body and its capabilities. The stark grid format and the nude male figure invite us to consider the complex interplay between science, art, and the objectification of the human form. What does it mean to dissect and categorize movement in this way? Is it a celebration of the body's potential, or a clinical reduction of human experience?