Mereaux. Émile-Louis. 33 ans, né à Laon (Aisne). Ébéniste. Anarchiste. 23/4/92. 1892

This photographic portrait, taken by Alphonse Bertillon in 1892, depicts Émile-Louis, a 33-year-old French anarchist and cabinetmaker. Bertillon, a pioneer in criminal identification techniques, utilized photography as a tool for cataloging individuals, creating a visual record of their physical features. This mugshot exemplifies Bertillon's "anthropometric" system, which employed precise measurements and standardized photographs to identify and track criminals, a practice that would later evolve into modern fingerprinting. The image is a compelling example of photographic documentation within the context of law enforcement and social control.