Becu. Lucien. 27 ans, né à la Conté d'Abigny (Pas-de-Calais). Garçon de café. Pas de motif. 22/2/94. 1894

This is a mugshot, titled "Becu. Lucien" taken in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon, using the photographic medium of the time. The sepia tones and the subject's direct gaze are immediately striking, creating an intimate yet detached viewing experience. Bertillon's "portrait parlé" or "speaking portrait", aimed to create a system of identification through precise measurements and detailed physical descriptions. The formal composition, with its emphasis on objective representation, challenges traditional portraiture. The subject's attire and affect contrast with the impersonal nature of the mugshot. This tension reflects broader societal concerns about identity, surveillance, and the power of categorization during the late 19th century. Bertillon’s project sought to stabilize identity through empirical observation, yet the photograph itself hints at the fluidity and complexity inherent in human representation.