Berson. Samuel. 28 ans, né le 3/?/65 à Dinabourg (Russie). Tailleur d'habits. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This is an albumen silver print made by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894. It’s a photograph of Samuel Berson, a tailor and anarchist from Russia. While photography might seem purely representational, the "making" of this image is central to understanding it. Bertillon was a pioneer of forensic science, using photography as a tool for identification and control. His process involved meticulous standardization, turning individuals into data points. Note that Berson is identified not by his artistry as a tailor but by his supposed political affiliation. The albumen print itself, made with egg whites, gives the image a warm tone and fine detail. But that smooth surface belies the cold, calculated purpose behind its creation. Berson, the maker of clothes, is here himself "made" into an object of state surveillance. This photograph challenges us to think about the power dynamics inherent in image-making, and how even the most seemingly objective processes can be used to reinforce social control, especially in an era when anarchists were feared as enemies of the state.