Beaufort. Gilbert. 32 ans, né à Paris Xle. Ébéniste. Anarchiste. 5/3/94. 1894

This is an albumen print made by Alphonse Bertillon, a French police officer and biometrics researcher, in the late 19th century. The photograph documents Beaufort Gilbert, a 32-year-old cabinetmaker and anarchist living in Paris. Bertillon developed a system of identification based on physical measurements, and his photographic archive offers a glimpse into the lives of those deemed outside the social order. Beaufort, identified by his occupation and political affiliation, existed in a society grappling with class divisions and political dissent. His very image becomes a marker of difference, a tool for surveillance and control. While the image appears to be a neutral record, it reflects the power dynamics of the time and how certain identities were constructed and policed. This photograph encourages us to reflect on how society classifies and judges individuals, and the emotional impact of being reduced to a set of measurements and labels.