Lothier. Gaston. 27 ans, né le 27/12/66 à St Thomas (Charente-Inférieure). Menuisier. Anarchiste. 1/1/94. 1894

Captured by Alphonse Bertillon, this mugshot from 1894 presents us with Gaston Lothier, an anarchist carpenter. At first glance, it seems merely a stark record. However, his very label—’anarchist’—resonates with ancient symbols of defiance, like Prometheus chained, challenging the gods. The carefully documented face confronts us, daring us to see beyond the criminal tag. Consider, the mustache, a virile symbol of masculinity, contrasts sharply with the cold detachment of Bertillon’s photographic method. The mustache in history is a symbol of power, seen on kings and revolutionaries alike. Yet here, it’s reduced to a mere identifier, a feature cataloged as if to strip it of its inherent force. This photograph serves as a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of power and resistance. It invites us to consider how society’s fears and desires are projected onto the individual. The collective anxiety around societal order renders Lothier a symbol of disruption. It’s a dance of order and chaos, ever-repeating, a primal struggle played out on Lothier’s face.