Bertillon standardized the anthropometric method of identifying people based on portraits and precisely measured data. This late 19th-century system is still in use today. It is now known as the "mug shot." In this example, the headrest, which was supposed to ensure the correct position of the head, is clearly visible.
The text in the negative is in the exact same handwriting as the well-known examples created by Bertillon himself.
We only know the name of the person portrayed and the date. Unfortunately, the other measurable data is not filled in. This example comes from the Paris police archives: "Service anthropométrique central, à Paris".

This standardized portrait is the forerunner of the passport photo that is now used worldwide to identify people. Today, anthropometry is actively used in various AI applications such as facial recognition on smartphones.

Albumen print on original mount.

ca. 8,5 x 14,5 cm

👉 This albumen print is part of the Bazar Nadar "History Class Collection".
Based on these unique images, we will tell you about the origins of the medium during workshops.