Brunet. Felix. 21 ans, né le 21/2/73 à Paris XVe. Peintre en voiture. Anarchiste. 7/7/94. 1894

This is Alphonse Bertillon’s 1894 gelatin silver print of Brunet Felix, a 21-year-old anarchist. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher, who pioneered the practice of using photography for identification and documentation. The photograph’s sepia tone and the subject’s clothing suggest a different era. But this image is more than just a historical portrait. It is a record of a specific moment in time, a tool for surveillance, and a reflection of social anxieties. Bertillon’s method, known as "Bertillonage," sought to standardize the human form, reducing individuals to a set of measurements and characteristics. The choice of gelatin silver as a medium is significant. It allowed for mass production and dissemination of images, making it ideal for police work. The crisp detail and tonal range of the print reveal the subject's features, but also the cold, detached gaze of the camera. This work invites us to consider the complex relationship between photography, power, and identity. It compels us to consider who is behind the camera and what their intentions might be.