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Eccentric Artist Accused in Brutal Killing of Romantic Rival! He was born Edward James Muggeridge. The peculiar spelling of Edward, and the name Muybridge, evolved over the years. For a while, Muybridge even called himself Helios, likening himself to the mythological sun god. Muybridge was truly an eccentric artist who literally got away with murder.
Learning of his wife’s infidelity, Muybridge confronted Larkyns at a party. Using a pistol, Muybridge shot and killed his rival at point-blank range to the horror of the guests.
At his trial, Muybridge conceived the ‘stagecoach defense,’ claiming he had become mentally unbalanced following an accident while traveling on a stage. The jury sided with the jilted husband, acquitting Muybridge of Larkyns’ murder.
Muybridge returned to England in 1894. He died in 1904 in his home town, Kingston-on-Thames. An exhibit of Eadweard Muybridge’s works, including his cameras and a Zoopraxiscope, can be found at the Kingston-upon-Thames Museum today. |
 Muybridge’s surprising synthesis of art and science revolutionized painting and sculpture. How could still art ever be the same after Muybridge had given it life? Among his fans were the leading artists of the day including painter Jean Meissonier, sculptor Frederick Remington and author Alexander Dumas.
Muybridge was seen in the same light that today’s best motion picture special effects producers and directors are regarded. They may seem curiously antique now, but his images were totally high-tech, state of the art in his day. |
The love of Eadweard Muybridge’s life was Flora Stone, a pretty Californian. She was a 21-year-old photo retoucher who divorced her husband to marry Eadweard, twice her age. For reasons known only to her heart, she soon began an affair with a man-about-town named Harry Larkyns.
Though free, notoriety proved too much for Muybridge. Hounded by the press and Larkyns’ friends, Muybridge fled to Central America making photographs all the way — including this still life taken in Panama.
