Chornat. Pierre. 50 ans, né le 20/6/44 à Letrat (Loire). Constructeur-mécanicien. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This albumen print, made in France by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, shows a mugshot of Pierre Chornat, an anarchist. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who applied anthropometry to law enforcement creating an identification system based on physical measurements. This photograph is more than just a portrait, it's a tool of surveillance. The subject’s profession, age, and birthplace are recorded along with his political affiliation, marking him as a person of interest to the authorities. In the late 19th century, anarchism was viewed as a threat to social order. The authorities used photography to document and track individuals associated with the movement. The photograph strips Chornat of his individuality, reducing him to a set of data points. The institutional history of this image lies in the intersection of law enforcement, scientific innovation, and political repression. By understanding this, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, power, and social control.