Bourbasquet. François. 25 ans, né le 11/3/69 à St Avé (Morbihan). Garçon coiffeur. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This mugshot of François Bourbasquet, a 25-year-old anarchist hairdresser, was made by Alphonse Bertillon in France on July 2nd, 1894. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who applied his scientific methods to law enforcement. The photograph is a fascinating example of how institutions classify and categorize individuals. Bertillon developed a system of anthropometry, using precise body measurements to identify criminals. Here, the subject's occupation and political affiliation are noted as a means of categorization, raising questions about the criminalization of dissent. It reflects the anxieties of the French Third Republic, a period marked by social unrest and the rise of anarchist movements. By examining police archives, newspapers, and political pamphlets of the time, we can contextualize the role of photography in shaping public perceptions of criminality and political activism. This mugshot becomes a window into the social and political landscape of 19th-century France, revealing the power dynamics between the state and its citizens.