Guéry. Paul, Alphonse. 37 ans, né le 30/6/56 à Laversine (Aisne). Journalier. Anarchiste. 12/3/94. 1894

This is an albumen silver print of Paul Guéry made in France in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon. But it is not art in the traditional sense. It’s a mugshot. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who applied anthropological techniques to law enforcement. He developed a system of anthropometry, also known as Bertillonage, which used body measurements to identify and categorize criminals. This photograph is part of that system. Guéry’s name, age, birthplace, profession, and political affiliation are all listed. The term "Anarchiste" is particularly telling. In the late 19th century, anarchism was seen as a major threat to social order. This image and the Bertillon system were tools for the state to monitor and control individuals deemed dangerous. To understand this image, we can consult police archives, historical records of anarchist movements, and studies of criminal justice in late 19th-century France. This reminds us that art and images always exist within a specific social and institutional context.