Chericotti. Paul. 35 ans, né à Milan (Italie). Marchand de volailles. Anarchiste/Assoc. de malfaiteurs. 25/3/94. 1894

This photograph, taken in 1894 by Alphonse Bertillon, presents us with Paul Chericotti, an Italian anarchist. At first glance, it’s a mere police mugshot, but within it lies a potent interplay of symbols. The most arresting is the gaze. Chericotti stares directly at the viewer. This confrontational gaze echoes throughout art history, from ancient Roman portraiture intended to convey power and authority to contemporary portraiture. It’s a method used to make an impact on the viewer, engaging us on a subconscious level. Here, it's not the gaze of a ruler, but of defiance. We see the seeds of revolutionary fervor, yet that intensity, the very spirit of resistance, has persisted through ages, resurfacing in different guises, in various struggles, and will continue its non-linear progression into the future.