Plate Number 148. Descending stairs, turning carrying a bucket of water and a broom 1887

"Plate Number 148. Descending stairs, turning carrying a bucket of water and a broom" is a photographic study of human movement by Eadweard Muybridge, created in 1887. This black and white image is a series of 19 sequential photographs, which capture a woman descending stairs while carrying a bucket and a broom. Muybridge’s pioneering use of multiple cameras and precise timing, established him as a major innovator of the photographic medium and a key figure in the development of motion pictures. This sequence captures a moment in time, as the woman steps onto the next stair with grace and fluidity, giving a glimpse into the everyday life of a woman in the late nineteenth century. The image is considered a seminal work in the history of photography and has had a significant influence on the development of cinema and other visual arts.