Animal Locomotion. An Electro-Photographic Investigation of Consecutive Phases of Animal Movements. Commenced 1872 - Completed 1885. Volume I, Men (Nude) 1880s

Eadweard Muybridge created this photographic study between 1872 and 1885, as part of his extensive "Animal Locomotion" series. This particular plate, from Volume I, focuses on nude men. The series emerged in an era captivated by scientific inquiry and the burgeoning field of photography. Muybridge was commissioned to discover whether a horse ever lifts all four hooves off the ground simultaneously while running. This question reflects the intersection of scientific curiosity, artistic representation, and technological innovation in the late 19th century. What strikes me is the focus on the nude male form engaged in physical exertion. This challenges the traditional romanticized or heroic depictions of men found in academic art. Instead, Muybridge offers a detached, almost clinical view. But it's a performance, nonetheless. It’s impossible not to view these images through the lens of power and representation, considering whose bodies were being studied and for what purposes. The emotional impact lies in the tension between scientific objectivity and the inherent vulnerability of the subjects.