Chauvin. Émile. 18 ans, né à Paris IVe. Employé. Anarchiste. 1/3/94. 1894

This photographic portrait, part of Alphonse Bertillon’s extensive collection of mugshots, captures the likeness of a young man named Émile Chauvin. Created in 1894 as part of the French police’s criminal identification system, the image showcases Bertillon’s innovative approach to criminology. Bertillonage, as it was known, used a series of precise measurements and photographic documentation to identify individuals. This particular photograph, with its detailed inscription, reveals the subject’s age, place of birth, occupation, and political affiliation. This image provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and criminal landscape of late 19th-century France.