Livenais (ou Livenay), André. 39 ans, né à Renazé (Mayenne). Garçon de magasin. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

Editor: Here we have Alphonse Bertillon’s gelatin silver print from 1894, titled "Livenais (ou Livenay), André. 39 ans, né à Renazé (Mayenne). Garçon de magasin. Anarchiste. 2/7/94." The muted sepia tones and stark composition create an unnerving feeling, almost clinical. What do you make of the composition? Curator: Observe how the strict frontality of the image flattens the subject. This deliberate lack of depth enhances the objective, taxonomic quality. Note, too, the way Bertillon positions Livenais centrally within the frame, minimizing any distracting background. It underscores the photographic process as a tool for categorization rather than artistic expression. Editor: So, the aim wasn't aesthetic? Curator: Precisely. Consider the inscribed text beneath the portrait, almost aggressively declaring its purpose: identification. It strips the image of ambiguity, transforming the subject into data. Do you see how the interplay between the visual and the textual contributes to its unsettling effect? Editor: I see what you mean. The text clarifies it. So the texture of the gelatin silver print itself, does it add to this feeling? Curator: Yes. The subtle imperfections and tonal gradations within the gelatin silver print offer a fascinating counterpoint. While aiming for scientific precision, the medium introduces an element of uncontrolled variation, revealing the inherent tension between objectivity and the messy realities of photographic representation. Editor: I never would have picked up on all of that. This has totally shifted how I view the piece. Curator: Indeed. By analyzing these formal qualities, we uncover the complex ideological framework underpinning Bertillon’s work.