308. Novi. Ernest, Théodore. 32 ans, né à Nice (Alpes-Maritimes). Architecte. Anarchiste. 27/2/94. 1894

This is an albumen print of Ernest Théodore Novi, made in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon. The photograph presents a subdued palette, dominated by sepia tones, with the subject neatly framed. The composition is stark and straightforward. The mugshot aesthetic—a product of Bertillon's anthropometric system for identifying criminals—creates a curious tension. Novi, identified as an architect and anarchist, becomes a subject of the state's gaze, reduced to a set of measurements and visual data. The meticulous script annotating the image contrasts sharply with the unruly hair and beard of the subject, hinting at the struggle between order and chaos, control and freedom. Consider how the formal qualities of this image—its muted colors, the subject's direct gaze, and the stark composition—combine to create a sense of unease. This photograph pushes us to think about how power and knowledge intersect, and how individuals are categorized and represented.