Cler. Henri. 31 ans, né à Paris XIe. Ébéniste. Anarchiste. 14/3/94. 1894

This mugshot photograph of Cler Henri, a thirty-one-year-old cabinetmaker and anarchist, was taken in Paris by Alphonse Bertillon on March 14, 1894. The image is dominated by Henri’s frontal gaze, a pose as old as the hills, historically employed to reveal truth. We see the reappearance of this motif throughout history in portraiture of rulers or religious figures, those in a position of power or moral authority. Yet, here, the subject is an accused anarchist. The steady, unflinching gaze, traditionally a symbol of trustworthiness, here challenges the viewer. Does it suggest defiance, innocence, or something else entirely? The photograph, intended for objective identification, transcends its purpose. It taps into our collective memory, evoking an emotional and psychological response to power, authority, and the individual’s place within society. This image will continue to resurface, evolving in meaning and significance as each viewer interprets it through the lens of their own experience.