Plate Number 71. Running 1887

Curator: This gelatin-silver print from 1887 is entitled "Plate Number 71. Running," and it’s by Eadweard Muybridge. What is your first reaction to it? Editor: The repetition is fascinating, almost hypnotic. The way the figure is broken down into these sequential moments feels so modern, yet it's clearly from another era. I’m curious, what purpose did these types of motion studies serve? Curator: These photographs capture human locomotion to examine previously unseen aspects of movement, something the human eye could not process in real-time. But look closer: these weren't just scientific studies; the images evoke earlier artistic representations of the body, like classical statuary, don’t they? Editor: Absolutely! Especially with that loose, flowing gown, there is a very romantic, almost allegorical quality in contrast with what seems to be the primary scientific intent. Curator: Exactly. I find it interesting that this choice, dressing the runner in that loose fabric, actually makes reading the nuances of the motion easier. It’s like an intentional reference to classical drapery, allowing for emphasis of line, volume and gesture. But consider the period; for women, running was still restricted, either for exercise, or from violence. This motion—the agency represented here—is noteworthy in a social context, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do. Seeing the body in motion as freedom is very powerful. Here’s this woman breaking out of the rigid constraints of her time. Yet, let’s not forget the other figures Muybridge studied, or how this series supported very different scientific viewpoints too. There is something uncomfortable with the scientific gaze in the images—seeing her almost specimen-like is unnerving, no matter how elegant she appears to be. Curator: That friction is critical for us to consider as viewers. It speaks to the complexity of human perception and intention, doesn't it? Even in something seemingly straightforward, we encounter layers of cultural significance. Editor: I agree, thinking through how even in motion there is an element of artifice in what may seem simple. Curator: These layered perspectives help deepen the resonance and give "Running" its lasting appeal. Editor: Indeed, it provokes thought, which is exactly what powerful images do.