Eadweard Muybridge, English photographer and cinematographer (d. 1904)

Born Edward James Muggeridge in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom, on April 9, 1830, the man who would become known as Eadweard Muybridge embarked on a life marked by innovation, controversy, and a profound impact on the visual arts and sciences. His chosen name, Eadweard, was adopted later in life, reflecting his fascination with Anglo-Saxon history, believing it to be the original, archaic form of Edward. Similarly, he modified his surname to Muybridge, aiming for a distinctive, historically resonant identity.

At the age of 20, Muybridge sought new horizons, emigrating to America. He began his journey as a bookseller, first settling in the bustling metropolis of New York City before venturing further west to the burgeoning city of San Francisco. This period in his life, while seemingly unrelated to his later fame, undoubtedly exposed him to the dynamic landscape and entrepreneurial spirit of mid-19th century America.

A pivotal, life-altering event occurred in 1860 when, during a stagecoach journey across Texas, Muybridge suffered severe head injuries in a dramatic crash. This incident necessitated a return to his native Kingston upon Thames for several years of recuperation. It was during this period of recovery that he immersed himself in the world of photography, embracing it as a professional pursuit. He mastered the intricate wet-plate collodion process, a cutting-edge photographic technique of the era that required immense skill and precision. Demonstrating an early inventive streak, he also secured at least two British patents for his creations before his return to San Francisco in 1867, where associates observed a man with a noticeably altered personality, perhaps a lasting effect of his traumatic head injury.

Pioneering the American West and Early Recognition

Upon his return to San Francisco, Muybridge quickly established himself as a talented photographer. In 1868, his grand photographs of the majestic Yosemite Valley captivated audiences, offering a glimpse into the awe-inspiring beauty of the American West. He also capitalized on the public's fascination with three-dimensional imagery by selling popular stereographs of his work, further cementing his reputation and demonstrating his keen understanding of commercial appeal.

A Life of Tumult and Travel

Muybridge's personal life was as dramatic as his professional endeavors. In 1874, he was embroiled in a sensational trial after shooting and killing Major Harry Larkyns, whom he discovered was his wife's lover. In a controversial verdict that captured public attention, Muybridge was acquitted on the grounds of justifiable homicide, a defense rooted in the era's complex views on honor and betrayal. Despite this turmoil, his dedication to photography remained unwavering. The following year, 1875, saw him embark on an extensive, year-long photographic expedition through Central America, a testament to his resilience and adventurous spirit.

The Birth of Motion Photography

The indelible mark Muybridge left on history stems primarily from his groundbreaking work in chronophotography – the photographic study of motion. Between 1877 and 1886, he revolutionized the understanding of movement, particularly animal locomotion. Using an innovative setup of multiple cameras triggered in rapid succession, he meticulously captured the different positions of a subject in a stride, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. This work famously settled a long-standing debate regarding whether all four hooves of a galloping horse ever simultaneously leave the ground (they do).

His inventive spirit extended beyond still photography. Muybridge created the zoopraxiscope, a remarkable device that pre-dated modern cinematography. This projector displayed painted motion pictures from glass discs, essentially creating the illusion of movement from a series of still images. While it predated the flexible perforated film strip that would become the standard for motion pictures, the zoopraxiscope was a crucial stepping stone, demonstrating the feasibility of projecting animated sequences.

A particularly productive period unfolded from 1883 to 1886 during his collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Here, supported by scientific resources, Muybridge produced an astonishing collection of over 100,000 images, systematically documenting both animals and humans in various states of motion. This monumental undertaking provided an unprecedented visual library for scientists, artists, and engineers, frequently capturing distinct moments in time that the human eye simply could not differentiate.

Legacy and Lasting Influence

In his later years, Muybridge dedicated himself to sharing his discoveries with the world. He delivered numerous public lectures and demonstrations of his pioneering photography and early motion picture sequences, traveling extensively throughout England and Europe to publicize his work in prominent cities like London and Paris. He also meticulously edited and published comprehensive compilations of his photographs, many of which continue to be published today. These volumes profoundly influenced visual artists, inspiring movements such as Cubism and Futurism, and laid fundamental groundwork for the burgeoning fields of scientific, industrial, and medical photography, as well as biomechanics.

Muybridge permanently returned to his native England in 1894. He passed away in 1904, the same year the Kingston Museum opened in his hometown. Fittingly, this museum continues to honor his legacy by housing a substantial collection of his invaluable works in a dedicated gallery, ensuring that his extraordinary contributions to the understanding and depiction of motion remain accessible to future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eadweard Muybridge

What is Eadweard Muybridge best known for?

Eadweard Muybridge is primarily celebrated for his pioneering work in chronophotography, particularly his photographic studies of animal and human locomotion, which used multiple cameras to capture sequential moments of movement. He is also recognized for inventing the zoopraxiscope, an early device for projecting animated images.

Why did he change his name?

He changed his birth name, Edward James Muggeridge, to Eadweard Muybridge because he believed these forms were more ancient and authentically Anglo-Saxon, reflecting his interest in historical and archaic forms.

What was the significance of the "galloping horse" experiment?

Muybridge's "galloping horse" experiment, commissioned by Leland Stanford, was groundbreaking. It scientifically proved, for the first time, that a horse briefly lifts all four hooves off the ground simultaneously during a gallop, settling a long-standing debate and astonishing the public with its revelation.

Did Muybridge invent the motion picture?

While Muybridge did not invent the modern motion picture that uses flexible, perforated film, his zoopraxiscope was a crucial precursor. It was one of the earliest methods for projecting sequences of images to create the illusion of continuous motion, directly influencing the development of cinematography.

What was the controversy surrounding his life?

One of the most significant controversies was his trial in 1874 for the murder of Major Harry Larkyns, his wife's lover. Despite admitting to the shooting, he was controversially acquitted on the grounds of justifiable homicide.

How did Muybridge's work influence art and science?

His detailed sequential photographs profoundly influenced artists, inspiring movements like Cubism and Futurism by demonstrating the fragmented nature of motion. Scientifically, his work laid foundations for biomechanics, gait analysis, and forensic photography, providing unprecedented data on how living beings move.

Where can one see Eadweard Muybridge's work today?

A substantial collection of his works is housed at the Kingston Museum in his hometown, Kingston upon Thames, England. His published compilations are also still available and widely studied.