Pivat. Georges, Léopold. 34 ans, né à Vauxcié (Aisne). Tailleur d'habits. Anarchiste. 9/3/94. 1894

Editor: This albumen print from 1894 is a portrait by Alphonse Bertillon. The caption tells us the sitter's name is Georges Pivat, a 34-year-old tailor and anarchist. I find the directness of the gaze somewhat unsettling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the aesthetic qualities of a 19th-century portrait, this image carries heavy cultural weight. Consider the context: Bertillon pioneered forensic photography, using it to classify criminals. This wasn't about capturing beauty, but creating a record for control and, in a sense, branding. Editor: Branding? I hadn't considered that. Curator: Yes, think about the date too, 1894. Anarchism was considered a dangerous ideology by some. So, this image isn't just a face; it's a symbol loaded with social anxieties, perhaps designed to evoke a certain fear. Editor: So the suit, the bow tie…are those symbols too? I’d assume someone deemed dangerous would have their appearance downplayed. Curator: Precisely. The ordinary clothes reinforce the fear: danger lurks beneath a veneer of respectability. Think of it as a deliberate contrast, to show how societal norms can be deceived by one deemed an enemy of the state. Do you see how seemingly neutral details actually work to communicate a loaded message? Editor: I do, and I'm struck by how modern this feels. The anxiety about hidden threats, the power of the photographic image…it all resonates today. Thank you! Curator: A potent reminder of how the past continues to shape our present. The power of imagery indeed.