Brunet. Georges. 25 ans, né à Paris. Menuisier. Anarchiste. 4/2/94. 1894

This photographic portrait by Alphonse Bertillon, part of his system of mugshots, is a fascinating example of 19th-century criminal identification. The photograph, taken in 1894, depicts Georges Brunet, a 25-year-old Parisian carpenter and anarchist. Bertillon's method, known as anthropometry, involved taking standardized measurements of the body and facial features, which were recorded on cards alongside photographs. These "Bertillon cards" became a cornerstone of criminal identification systems, used to track and identify criminals across Europe and the United States. The image’s starkness and detail highlight Bertillon's focus on scientific precision, as he aimed to create a system that would eliminate error in criminal identification.