Plate Number 120. Descending an incline with a bucket of water in right hand 1887

Eadweard Muybridge made this photographic print, “Plate Number 120,” in the late 19th century. This image, part of his “Animal Locomotion” series, captures a woman descending an incline with a bucket of water. Muybridge's work emerged during a time of intense scientific and technological advancement, with photography playing a crucial role in documenting and analyzing movement. The work was commissioned by Leland Stanford, who was eager to prove that at some point a horse lifts all four legs off the ground when galloping. The series reflects a broader cultural fascination with understanding the mechanics of the human and animal body. The photographic method allowed for a new kind of scientific observation. His studies paved the way for the development of motion pictures. To understand Muybridge's photographs more fully, we can consult scientific journals, and institutional records. This kind of work highlights how art is embedded in the cultural and intellectual currents of its time.