Mathieu. Gustave. (avec une barbe postiche) 1880s - 1890s

This is a photograph of Gustave Mathieu, made by Alphonse Bertillon, the French criminologist and photographer. Bertillon pioneered the use of photography in policing and forensics in late nineteenth-century France. The image is an example of Bertillonage, an identification system based on physical measurements and standardized portraiture. Here, Mathieu appears in a mugshot-style composition, even wearing a false beard as a disguise. Bertillon’s project aimed to create a system of knowledge and power, one that would classify and control individuals within society. In its own time, Bertillonage was seen as a progressive method of cataloging criminals, yet it also exemplifies how institutions shape social norms, often through surveillance and control. To understand its full significance, scholars consult police archives, scientific journals, and sociological studies. Art history helps us consider the role of photography in shaping power dynamics and social control.