Vier slachtoffers van moord en drie afbeeldingen die vermoedelijk gerelateerd zijn aan de moordenaar before 1890

This haunting book page, likely from the late 19th century, presents a stark composition of photographic fragments related to a Parisian crime. The anonymous arrangement of victim portraits, an alleged suspect, a signature, and a hand cast, creates a chilling visual narrative. The use of stark black and white photography emphasizes the harsh reality of the scene. The portraits, arranged in a grid-like fashion, offer a detached, clinical view of the victims. This evokes a sense of alienation. The inclusion of the suspect's portrait and the hand cast introduces elements of physiognomy, a pseudo-science popular at the time, suggesting an attempt to read character through physical traits. The juxtaposition of these elements creates a disturbing commentary on criminality, culpability, and the era’s fascination with using visual media for identification and social control. It exposes how photography can be manipulated to construct narratives and reinforce societal biases. This visual document destabilizes our understanding of truth and representation, highlighting the ethical complexities inherent in using images for legal and social purposes.