Thirion. Louis, Joseph. 31 ans, né à Autrey (Vosges). Journaliste. Anarchiste. 4/3/94. 1894

Editor: Here we have "Thirion. Louis, Joseph. 31 ans, né à Autrey (Vosges). Journaliste. Anarchiste. 4/3/94.", a gelatin-silver print created in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon. It's stark, almost unsettling – a mugshot, really. What strikes you when you look at this image? Curator: Well, it makes me think about the power of the gaze, doesn't it? This is more than just a photograph; it’s a record, a judgement, an inscription in the archives of power. Alphonse Bertillon was a pioneer in forensic photography, and his portraits, however clinical they may seem, are steeped in social context. The man's slightly askew tie. The visible brushstrokes of the photographer’s hand adding annotations... Do you think the image intends to show Louis as dangerous, or perhaps something else? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way... More like he’s been dehumanized by the process, stripped of his identity, and reduced to a set of metrics, a mere "case." I hadn't really seen anything else besides what jumped out. Curator: Exactly. And what does it tell us, do you think, that even in this cold, scientific context, we see traces of humanity? The way he holds himself, a hint of defiance, maybe even sadness? Photography freezes a moment in time, but emotions still linger. What would we have seen if the photo were a film? Editor: It's fascinating how much a single image can hold. I see now that it isn't just about the man in the picture, it’s about the system that created it. Curator: Precisely. Art isn't always beautiful or pleasurable; sometimes it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our society. I will remember him. Editor: Same here. Thank you, this was deeply illuminating.