Tennevin. Alexandre. 48 ans, né à Paris. Comptable. Anarchiste. 19/3/94. 1894

This photograph, taken by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, is part of his renowned "portrait parle" system, a method of criminal identification using anthropometric measurements and mugshots. The subject, Alexandre Tennevin, a 48-year-old Parisian accountant and anarchist, is presented in a straightforward, frontal pose, typical of Bertillon's photographic approach. The image's clarity and detail highlight the system's focus on objective observation and documentation, marking a crucial development in forensic science and police practices. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses this small, yet historically significant, photographic record, offering insight into the evolution of identification techniques and the visual representation of individuals within the criminal justice system.