Forti. Alfred. 18 ans, né à Milan (Italie). Restaurateur. Anarchiste. 27/2/94.

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, criminologist Alphonse Bert revolutionized law enforcement with his anthropometric system, combining precise body measurements with standardized photography to identify suspects. This 1894 albumen silver print from glass negative captures Alfred Forti, an 18-year-old restaur born in Milan, Italy, labeled as an "anarchiste" (anarchist). Dated February 27, the small portrait (10.5 x 7 cm) exemplifies Bert's mugshot format: a stark, frontal view designed for scientific accuracy rather than artistic flourish, reflecting the era's growing use of photography in policing amid rising anarchist violence in Europe. Bertillon's technique, using albumen prints for their exceptional detail and tonal range, marked a pivotal shift from traditional portraiture to forensic documentation. Produced at the Paris Prefecture of Police, these images were not mere records but tools for criminal archives, influencing modern identification methods like fingerprints. Forti's portrait, part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Gilman Collection, offers a poignant glimpse into the turbulent 1890s, when fears of anarchist bombings gripped France, humanizing a young suspect caught in the machinery of state surveillance. Today, this work bridges art and history, showcasing how photography evolved from aesthetic medium to evidentiary science, inviting visitors to ponder the ethics of visual identification.

About the Artist

Alphonse Bertillon · 1853–1914

Alphonse Bertillon (1853–1914) was a pioneering French photographer whose work revolutionized forensic documentation, transforming police identification into a precise visual science. Born in Paris on April 22, 1853, he was the son of medical professor and statistician Louis-Adolphe Bertillon and the younger brother of demographer Jacques Bertillon. Lacking formal higher education after expulsion ...