Pausader. Jean, Ernest. 27 ans, né le 28/7/66 à Paris Xe. Publiciste. Anarchiste. 2/1/94. 1894

This photographic portrait, “Pausader. Jean, Ernest. 27 ans, né le 28/7/66 à Paris Xe. Publiciste. Anarchiste. 2/1/94.” (1894), is part of Alphonse Bertillon’s (1853-1914) renowned collection of mugshots. Bertillon, a French criminologist, developed the Bertillon system, an early method of criminal identification that utilized a series of precise body measurements. This image, with its detailed inscription, showcases Bertillon’s innovative approach to criminal record-keeping. The photograph captures the subject’s likeness in a frontal, unflattering pose, emphasizing the system's focus on accurate documentation over aesthetic beauty. The inscription provides biographical data, including the subject’s age, birth date, place of birth, profession, and political affiliation, highlighting the system's attempt to establish a comprehensive criminal profile.