Plate Number 132. Descending stairs, turning to look around and waving hand

Eadweard Muybridge

National Gallery of Art

This is a photograph of a series of motion studies. This series consists of sixteen small black and white frames arranged in two rows, capturing the sequential motion of a figure descending a staircase. Each frame shows the figure in a slightly different pose, illustrating the progression of movement from the top to the bottom of the steps. The background is consistent throughout, with horizontal lines accentuating the movement. This is a study of movement and time, demonstrating an early attempt at capturing motion in a static medium.