Eadweard Muybridge's studies demonstrate that the movement of a horse running was much more complex than anything that has ever been depicted on camera. These photographs taken later inspired the western painter Frederic Remington who was strongly influenced by Muybridge's work.
Being English by birth, Eadweard Muybridge immigrated to America in 1857. In the 1860s Muybridge becomes a pioneer photographer who arouses American's appetite for Western themes. He photographs the landscape of the west that inspires landscapes such as Albert Bierstast and Thomas Moran. While in California, Leland Standford invites Muybridge to photograph his horses. Standford is set on developing the greatest racing stable in the west and he uses scientific research to reach his goal. In the spring of 1872, Muybridge travels to California. .
At the race track he performs some serious experiments that will change the views on photography, animal movement, and traditional portrayals of horses. These studies shock the French traditionalist, Meissmier, and inspire the impressionist group. Amongst the artist who are moved and use his photographs are Manet, Degas, Thomas Eakins, Thomas Maran, Eastman Johnson, Sanfford Gifford and the western painter, Frederic Remington (Samuels 84). During his experiments at the track he finishes photographs that are put on cars called Horses in Motion. Then later he includes The Attitudes of Animals in Motion, Here he uses other animals than horses, including the athletes of the Olympic Club in San Francisco. These copies are presented to Stanford in 1881. .
While lecturing gin Europe, Muybridge find that Stanford his undermining his work by publishing his photographs and returns to the States. He then does studies at the University of Pennsylvania. There he dissected animals and watched the animals move in the courtyard of the veterinary school at the university (Bunrell 35).
