Portretten van Coché en Pouly, twee criminelen, en een sjaal before 1890

This anonymous portrait of Coché and Pouly, two criminals, encircled by a scarf, invites us to consider crime and representation in Parisian society. The historical context here is the development of modern criminology, with its attempts to classify and understand criminal behavior through observation and documentation. This portrait, found within the pages of a book, offers a glimpse into the lives of those existing on the margins. The scarf itself, described in the adjacent text as "rouge et blanc," suggests a tool of their trade, perhaps used in acts of theft or violence. This image invites us to reflect on societal attitudes toward crime, class, and justice. Are these men victims of circumstance, or threats to public order? Consider how these images, framed by their alleged instrument, challenge our own assumptions about identity, criminality, and the systems that define them.