Labrie. Oscar, Alexandre. 33 ans, né à Charenton (Seine). Marchand de vins. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This albumen print, made by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, shows us a man named Oscar Labrie. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher, who pioneered the use of photography for criminal identification. The process itself is interesting. Albumen printing, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. This demanded precision and skill, reflecting a shift towards standardized visual records. Here, the choice of albumen is significant. It was a cost-effective material that allowed for mass production, reflecting the growing need for a systematic approach to policing. The tonal range it produced is limited, resulting in a somewhat flat image, devoid of much character. It is the very antithesis of fine art photography. Consider the labor involved in producing such images, the repetitive actions required to create a series of near-identical images, and how this contrasts with the unique identities of those captured. By focusing on materials and processes, we can understand the complex ways in which photography played a role in the exercise of power.