Pernin. François. 34 ans, né le 11/1/60 au Creuzot (Saône-et-Loire). Forgeron. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This albumen print, created by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, presents a portrait with a purpose, or rather, a new method. The sepia tones and standardized framing are immediately striking. Bertillon was interested in creating a modern system of criminal identification. Note how the subject, Pernin, is centered, his gaze direct and his expression neutral. These are not accidents; Bertillon carefully controlled these elements to create a 'speaking likeness'. This approach challenges earlier forms of portraiture, where individuality and character were emphasized through pose, setting, and lighting. Here, individuality is suppressed in favor of objective measurement. The text at the bottom, neatly inscribed, reinforces this pursuit of standardization. The photograph, therefore, operates on two levels. Firstly, it is an image of an individual. Secondly, it functions as a data point within a larger system of classification. Bertillon’s project reflects broader concerns about social order, control, and the role of science in shaping modern life. The act of looking at this photograph invites us to consider how we categorize and understand identity.