Catty. Nicolas, Pierre, François. 47 ans, né à Fressenneville (Somme). Mécanicien. Anarchiste. 10/3/94. 1894

This is an albumen print made in France in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon. It depicts Nicolas Catty, a 47-year-old mechanic and anarchist. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who invented the mugshot. His "anthropometric photography" was meant to create a scientific system of identification, a technique used to classify and track criminals, the image is inscribed with Bertillon's labeling system. It includes the subject’s name, age, profession, political affiliation, and the date the photograph was taken. This image reflects anxieties of the time, in particular fear of anarchism. The institutional history of photography and policing shaped the way people were viewed and controlled. Bertillon's method was adopted worldwide, transforming how law enforcement agencies document and perceive individuals. Understanding this photograph requires researching the history of criminal justice, the rise of photography, and the social context of late 19th-century France. Studying Bertillon’s work provides valuable insights into the intersection of science, power, and representation.