Jamard. Alphonse, Ernest. 51 ans, né à Paris. Distillateur. Anarchiste. 28/2/94. 1894

This photograph by Alphonse Bertillon, taken in Paris on February 28, 1894, captures Alphonse Ernest Jamard, a 51-year-old distiller and declared anarchist. Jamard’s gaze, direct and unyielding, echoes images of revolutionaries across time. His carefully groomed mustache and bow tie, juxtaposed against the label of “anarchist,” create a tension. The bow tie, often a symbol of bourgeois respectability, here becomes a mask, hinting at hidden depths. Think of portraits of Martin Luther, where similar garb conveyed defiance. The photograph becomes a powerful statement about identity, resistance, and the subtle ways in which individuals challenge societal norms. The very act of photographing him, cataloging him, becomes part of the narrative. Like the Renaissance portraits, it freezes a moment, preserving a story. The cultural memory embedded here transcends the individual, engaging us with the broader themes of power, subversion, and the human spirit.