Plate Number 109. Ascending a stepladder

1887

Eadweard Muybridge

Associated Names
Eadweard Muybridge

Artist, American, born England, 1830 - 1904

This is a series of twelve photographs showing the motion of climbing stairs. The images depict a figure ascending a set of stairs, captured from side and rear views, arranged in two horizontal rows. Each frame represents a moment in the motion, offering a detailed study of movement dynamics during climbing. There are lines and grid patterns in the background, suggesting a scientific approach to analyzing motion. The overall tone of the images is monochrome, giving them an archival and historical quality similar to early photographic studies of human movement.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Eadweard Muybridge, Philadelphia, PA; purchased by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1887; acquired by NGA, 2014.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

printed, lower center underneath image in black ink: ANIMAL LOCOMOTION. PLATE. 109 / Copyright, 1887, by EADWEARD MUYBRIDGE. All rights reserved.; on verso, by Corcoran Gallery of Art, lower left in red pencil: 87.7.109


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