Plate Number 271. Arising from the ground with a paper in left hand 1887

This photographic study of a woman rising from the ground with a paper in her hand, was made by Eadweard Muybridge, though the date is unknown. The image comprises a series of sequential photographs, capturing different stages of her movement. Muybridge was instrumental in the early development of photography. Made in the United States, the photograph reflects the cultural fascination with capturing and understanding human motion during the late 19th century. The rigid grid emphasizes the scientific nature of Muybridge's endeavor. He aimed to dissect and analyze movement in a systematic manner. This approach was also of interest to institutions such as art schools and universities. They were keen to teach students more about anatomy, and also movement in time. Studying photographs like this reminds us that art does not exist in a vacuum. It is intertwined with broader scientific, technological, and institutional contexts. We can research period documents, scientific journals, and institutional records. This helps us understand how photographs such as this were produced, circulated, and understood in their time.