Deherme. Marie, Adolphe. 26 ans, né à Paris XVIIe. Publiciste. Anarchiste. 9/3/94. 1894

This mugshot of Adolphe Marie Deherme was produced in Paris by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, using photographic processes. Rather than traditional artistic media, Bertillon, a French police officer and biometrics researcher, used photography as a tool for identification. The sepia tones and the texture of the photographic paper give the image a somewhat detached feel, emphasizing the subject's objectification. This visual technique invites reflection on the methods of early criminal justice, and the classification of individuals within the social order. Bertillon's method, known as "Bertillonage," involved detailed measurements and photography to create a system for identifying repeat offenders, at a time when photographic techniques were rapidly advancing. The making of this image, with its standardized format and meticulous documentation, reflects the industrialization of police work. It moves away from individualized justice, and towards systemic surveillance. It's important to consider how the tools and processes of modern life – including photographic technology – play a role in shaping and reinforcing societal power structures.