Miaglia. Bernard. 41 ans, né à Giaglione (Italie). Cordonnier. Anarchiste. 9/3/94. 1894

This photographic portrait, taken by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, is a striking example of his pioneering work in criminal identification. The image, part of a larger series, depicts Miaglia Bernard, a 41-year-old Italian anarchist and cobbler. Bertillon, a French criminologist, developed the anthropometric system, which used precise measurements and photographs to identify individuals. This work was groundbreaking in its time, transforming police investigation and introducing a scientific approach to criminal identification. The portrait, with its stark composition and clear focus on Bernard's features, exemplifies the objectivity and detail that characterized Bertillon's system. The image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a unique glimpse into the history of criminal identification and the use of photography in forensic science.