Fétis. Julien. 26 ans, né à New York (USA). Couvreur. Anarchiste. 3/3/94. 1894

This is an albumen silver print, made by Alphonse Bertillon, likely in Paris. The process involves coating paper with egg white and then using silver nitrate to make it light-sensitive. It's an early form of photography that allowed for detailed, reproducible images. The sepia tones you see come from the chemical development of the print. But consider, too, the social context in which this image was made. Bertillon was a pioneer of forensic photography, developing systems to document criminals. This is not a portrait in the traditional sense, meant to celebrate the sitter, Julien Fétis. Rather, it is a tool of social control, part of a larger system aimed at identifying and managing individuals. Fétis's occupation as a roofer, and his stated anarchist beliefs, adds another layer of complexity, suggesting the social anxieties of the time. In the end, this photograph challenges our traditional notions of art, making us consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of making.