Plate Number 14. Walking, right hand at chin 1887

Eadweard Muybridge made this photographic print of a woman walking in the late 19th century. At the time, the scientific study of human locomotion was a cutting-edge area of research. Muybridge created this work to analyze and document the precise movements of the human body. By capturing a series of images in rapid succession, he was able to break down the act of walking into individual frames. This had implications for the scientific and medical communities. It also had implications for the art world. In this image, we see the nude model walking against a neutral background. The grid-like presentation allowed for detailed comparison of each phase of movement. Muybridge's work challenged conventional representations of the human body, pushing the boundaries of both art and science. Historians of science and photography can look to archives of journals and letters to understand the cultural and scientific context that gave rise to this innovative and provocative body of work.