Eadweard Muybridge
American, 1830—1904
About
Eadweard Muybridge
American, 1830—1904
Noted for his ingenious and pioneering studies of motion, Eadweard Muybridge is widely recognized as a pivotal figure in the development of motion pictures, and a significant influence on the arts and sciences. Although he intended his photographs to be used as scientific documents and visual aides for artists, his studies of motion are also appreciated as aesthetic works, and have a surprisingly modern sensibility. Born in England and emigrating to the United States in his twenties, Eadweard Muybridge settled in California where he studied under Carleton E. Watkins and mastered the techniques of the collodion wet-plate process.
Muybridge began his career photographing Western landscapes, including a government commissions to photograph the Pacific Coast, and a series of large-format photographs of Yosemite. In 1868, he was appointed West Coast Director of Photographic Surveys for the United States government, and his skillful and highly regarded work won him a medal at the Vienna Exhibition in 1872. The same year, Muybridge began the work that we would become best known for: his motion studies. His famous investigations began by capturing the movements of a running horse in a stop-action sequence, and continued to the locomotion of other animals. In 1876, Muybridge photographed a panoramic of San Francisco from Nob Hill, and for the next fifteen years, worked and lectured widely in America and Europe on the technological advances and applications of photography. Muybridge went on to photograph thousands of motions studies of both humans and animals primarily at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Philadelphia Zoo. Muybridge’s publications include Animal Locomotion (1887), Descriptive Zoopraxography (1893), Animals in Motion (1899), and The Human Figure in Motion (1901).
Mammoth plates
Eadweard Muybridge
View in the Yosemite Valley, Pompompasos, Three Brothers, and Reflections, 4200 Feet, Yosemite Valley, 1872
Mammoth-plate albumen silver print from wet collodion on glass negative
21 1/8 x 16 3/4 in.
Eadweard Muybridge
Falls of Yosemite, Great Grizzly Bear, 1872
Mammoth-plate albumen silver print from wet collodion on glass negative
17 x 21 1/2 in.
Eadweard Muybridge
Mammoth plates
Animal Locomotion: Horses
Eadweard Muybridge
“Eagle” Trotting Free, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
14 x 20 in. plate on 19 x 24 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
"Clinton" walking, mounted, irregular, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 3/4 x 18 3/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
“Eagle” Trotting Free, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 1/2 x 15 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Nellie Rose" trotting, harnessed to sulky, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 9/16 x 13 3/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Katydid" trotting, harnessed to sulky, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 1/8 x 16 3/4 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Beauty" walking, saddled, irregular, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 5/8 x 14 715/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Katydid" trotting, harnessed to sulky, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 1/4 x 16 1/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Pandora" jumping a hurdle, saddled, clearing and landing, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 7/8 x 14 7/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Pandora" jumping a hurdle, bareback; rider nude, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 7/8 x 17 3/4 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Elberon" trotting, saddled, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 9/16 x 17 13/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dusel" hauling, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 15/16 x 12 15/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dusel" hauling, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 7/16 x 14 1/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dusel" hauling, broken log chain, 1872-1885/ printed 1887
Collotype
8 5/16 x 13 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dusel" trotting, bareback, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 1/3 x 16 7/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
“Dan” galloping, saddled, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
14 x 20 in. plate on 19 x 24 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
"Billy" hauling, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dusel" trotting, bareback, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 1/4 x 17 13/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Animal Locomotion: Horses
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“Eagle” Trotting Free
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"Clinton" walking, mounted, irregular
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“Eagle” Trotting Free
-
"Nellie Rose" trotting, harnessed to sulky
-
"Katydid" trotting, harnessed to sulky
-
"Beauty" walking, saddled, irregular
-
"Katydid" trotting, harnessed to sulky
-
"Pandora" jumping a hurdle, saddled, clearing and landing
-
"Pandora" jumping a hurdle, bareback; rider nude
-
"Elberon" trotting, saddled
-
"Dusel" hauling
-
"Dusel" hauling
-
"Dusel" hauling, broken log chain
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"Dusel" trotting, bareback
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“Dan” galloping, saddled
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"Billy" hauling
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"Dusel" trotting, bareback
Animal Locomotion: Birds and Wild Animals
Eadweard Muybridge
Cockatoo flying, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 11/16 x 17 1/2 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Cockatoo flying, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. image on 18 1/4 x 23 13/16 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Pigeon flying, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 5/8 x 18 1/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Cockatoo flying, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 5/8 x 12 1/2 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Elk galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 1/4 x 12 5/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Baboon climbing a pole, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 5/8 x 13 13/16 in .image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Antelope trotting, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 5/8 x 13 3/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Fallow deer, buck and group of does, galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 1/4 x 16 1/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Fallow deer, buck. A: Trotting, B: Galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Fallow deer, buck and doe, galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 9/16 x 14 1/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Two Reindeer, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 7/8 x 12 3/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Animal Locomotion: Birds and Wild Animals
Animal Locomotion: Domestic Animals
Eadweard Muybridge
Cat trotting, changing to a gallop, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 3/4 x 17 5/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
"Dread" galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 9/16 x 15 5/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Sow walking, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Goat galloping, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 5/8 x 13 3/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Goat walking, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/4 x 12 7/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Animal Locomotion: Domestic Animals
Animal Locomotion: Males
Eadweard Muybridge
Throwing a spear, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 x 12 15/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking and carrying a 75-lb. stone on head, hands raised, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 1/4 x 12 5/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking and carrying a 50-lb dumbbell in right hand, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 15/16 x 18 3/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Carpenter, planing a board, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 x 13 1/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Bricklaying, 1872-1885/ printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/8 x 14 3/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Running, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
14 x 20 in. plate on 19 x 24 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 5/16 x 15 1/4 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 1/2 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Man walking, carrying a 75-lb. stone on left shoulder, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 1/2 x 12 3/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Baseball, error, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Cricket, batting and back cut, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
5 7/8 x 17 9/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Running, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 11/16 x 13 13/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Throwing a spear, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 1/8 x 12 11/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Ascending an incline, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/8 x 13 15/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Ascending stairs, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 7/8 x 11 3/4 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Ascending a stepladder, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 1/2 x 14 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Mason, laying a brick, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 x 14 7/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Heaving a 20-lb rock, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/8 x 13 1/8 in. image on18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Boxing, stop for cross-buttocks, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Boxing, open hand, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 3/16 x 17 3/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Animal Locomotion: Males
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Throwing a spear
-
Walking and carrying a 75-lb. stone on head, hands raised
-
Walking and carrying a 50-lb dumbbell in right hand
-
Carpenter, planing a board
-
Bricklaying
-
Running
-
Walking
-
Walking
-
Man walking, carrying a 75-lb. stone on left shoulder
-
Baseball, error
-
Cricket, batting and back cut
-
Running
-
Throwing a spear
-
Ascending an incline
-
Ascending stairs
-
Ascending a stepladder
-
Mason, laying a brick
-
Heaving a 20-lb rock
-
Boxing, stop for cross-buttocks
-
Boxing, open hand
Animal Locomotion: Women and Children
Eadweard Muybridge
Woman Crossing brook on stepping-stones with a fishing pole and can, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 5/8 x 16 1/2in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking, turning around and using a sprinkling pot, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/8 x 14 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Stepping on and over a rock, a basket on head and right hand raised, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 5/8 x 13 3/4 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Crossing a brook on stepping stones with a fishing pole and a basket, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 15/16 x 15 1/4 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Woman Ascending an incline, right elbow bent, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 9/16 x 14 9/16 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Woman Walking, right elbow bent, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
9 1/4 x 12 5/8 in. image on 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. paper
Eadweard Muybridge
Lifting a child from the ground and turning around, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 3/4 x 14 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Walking; flirting a fan, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 3/16 x 13 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Carrying a water jar on head, turning and placing it on the ground, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/4 x 14 9/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Descending stairs, looking around and waving a fan, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
11 3/4 x 9 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Placing a child on the ground; the child running off, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
6 13/16 x 17 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Lifting shawl, putting it around shoulders and turning, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Woman turning to ascend Stairs, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 3/8 x 15 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Kneeling; elbows on chair and hands clasped, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 11/16 x 15 5/16 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Picking up a ball and throwing it, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
8 1/8 x 14 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Toddler crawling, 1872-1885 / printed 1887
Collotype
7 3/8 x 15 7/8 in. image on 18 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. sheet
Eadweard Muybridge
Animal Locomotion: Women and Children
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Woman Crossing brook on stepping-stones with a fishing pole and can
-
Walking, turning around and using a sprinkling pot
-
Stepping on and over a rock, a basket on head and right hand raised
-
Crossing a brook on stepping stones with a fishing pole and a basket
-
Woman Ascending an incline, right elbow bent
-
Woman Walking, right elbow bent
-
Lifting a child from the ground and turning around
-
Walking; flirting a fan
-
Carrying a water jar on head, turning and placing it on the ground
-
Descending stairs, looking around and waving a fan
-
Placing a child on the ground; the child running off
-
Lifting shawl, putting it around shoulders and turning
-
Woman turning to ascend Stairs
-
Kneeling; elbows on chair and hands clasped
-
Picking up a ball and throwing it
-
Toddler crawling