Gustave Flourens (1838–1871) was a French revolutionary leader and writer, son of physiologist Jean Pierre Flourens. This albumen silver print carte de visite was produced at the celebrated Paris studio then operating as Photographie Thiébault, Bacard Fils successor, at 31 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle. Paul Bacard, son-in-law of Eugène Thiébault, established himself at the Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle address in 1868 and signed his photographs "Photographie Thiébault, Bacard Fils, successeur." The imprint on this card places it firmly within the transitional years around 1868 to 1871.

Only the reverse is shown, presenting the studio's printed imprint in full against a pale cream card mount with a thin blue border at the edges. The typeset text is arranged in a period-appropriate vertical orientation, alternating roman and italic letterforms, with the studio name at top, the address in italic script, and the photographer's name in bold capitals below. A cursive inscription in ink at the foot of the card reads "Flourens" in a confident period hand.

Flourens joined the population's uprising on 18 March 1871, was elected a member of the revolutionary Commune by the 20th arrondissement, named general, and was one of the most active leaders of the insurrection before being killed on 3 April 1871. Bacard Fils made portraits of a notable circle of public figures including Thiers, Victor Hugo, Communards, and actors of the Comédie Française.

The reverse bears the printed studio imprint reading "PHOTOGRAPHIE THIÉBAULT / 31 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 31 / en face le Théâtre du Gymnase / BACARD FILS / GENDRE & SUCCESSEUR" (Thiébault Photography / 31 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 31 / opposite the Gymnase Theatre / Bacard Son / Son-in-law & Successor), with "Flourens" inscribed in ink in a period cursive hand at the lower center.