Deguet. Victor, Adonis. 50 ans, né le 27/2/44 à Vuenpont (Aisne). Armurier. Anarchiste. 16/3/94. 1894

This photograph by Alphonse Bertillon, taken on March 16, 1894, captures Victor Deguet, an armorer labeled as an anarchist. The mugshot, a stark and systematic approach to identifying individuals, is full of symbols that hint at broader cultural anxieties. Look closely at the act of cataloging a face. It reminds me of ancient practices of physiognomy, where one's character was read through their features. This pseudo-science, though discredited, has roots stretching back to antiquity and resurfaces in various forms throughout history. Deguet's fixed stare and the rigid structure of the photograph invoke intense scrutiny. It's as if his very essence is being dissected and judged. There is a deep-seated fear here. What emotions does this image trigger in you? What power does a single face, captured and classified, hold? Such images of men deemed dangerous, connect to collective memories and subconscious fears. It brings to mind the cyclical progression of social anxieties, where "deviant" figures are studied, feared, and symbolically ostracized across generations.