Athlete Back Summersault 2

The human body inevitably became Eadweard Muybridge's principal focus of study, largely because it is capable of executing varied actions as required. This precision of movement is clearly evident in Athlete Back Summersault 2 (1881), in which a young man performs a back flip with notable ease. This short clip forms part of Muybridge's series depicting athletes engaged in sporting activities, enabling viewers to observe the specificity of each movement. The work thus becomes a resource for educational purposes as well as an analysis that advances scientific understanding of human anatomy. Although the lighting does not permit a clear view of every detail, this series of photographs was revolutionary for its time.