Adolphe Alphonse Assi, a mechanic of Italian descent born in Roubaix in 1841, was a prominent figure of the Paris Commune of 1871 and is the subject of this albumen carte de visite, produced at the studio of Eugène Thiébault at 31 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris. The image was made under the imprint of Paul Bacard, son-in-law and successor to Thiébault at the same address, who signed his photographs "Photographie Thiébault – Bacard Fils, Successeur," establishing a date of production between 1868 and the early 1870s, consistent with the period of the Commune itself.

Assi is shown in a three-quarter bust, turned slightly to his left, wearing a dark military-style uniform coat with double-breasted buttons at the chest and shoulder insignia. A small decoration or badge is visible pinned at the left breast. He wears a kepi with gold braid trim above the visor, and his full dark beard, curling hair, and direct bearing give him a commanding, self-assured presence against an unadorned studio backdrop.

During the Franco-Prussian War, Assi served as a lieutenant in the 192nd battalion of the National Guard and became one of the organizers of the Central Committee. On March 17, 1871, he was elected commander of the 67th battalion, ordered the seizure of the Hôtel de Ville the following day, and was subsequently named its governor. On March 26 he was elected as a member of the Commune for the 11th arrondissement. He later participated actively in the Creusot strikes of January 1870 and was ultimately deported to New Caledonia following the Commune's suppression.

Inscribed in pencil on the reverse: "Adolphe Assi (1841–1886) / President of the Central Committee of the Republican Guard during the Paris Commune." The reverse mount bears the printed studio imprint "Photographie Thiébault, 31 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Bacard Fils, Gendre & Successeur." Additional notations in ink read "3/06/07," "LOBDC2," and "Eb."