Théophile Charles Gilles Ferré (1845–1871) was a member of the Paris Commune portrayed here in a three-quarter seated pose on a CDV produced by E. Appert at 24, Rue Taitbout, Paris. A law clerk by profession and a committed Blanquist militant, Ferré was condemned four times under the Second Empire for his political opinions. The carte de visite format and the Appert studio imprint, which bears silver medal dates from 1853 through 1867, place the photograph in the late Second Empire or Commune period, consistent with Appert's documented activity photographing political figures and, later, imprisoned Communards.

Ferré wears a dark military-style tunic with light trim along the lapels and sleeves, frog-button closures running the length of the chest, and an ornate braided sword knot resting across his lap. His posture is relaxed but direct, one hand resting openly on his thigh, with a close-cropped mustache and an unflinching gaze toward the camera. A bold ink signature, reading "Vaguolies," is inscribed across the lower mount below the image.

Ferré authorized the execution of Archbishop Georges Darboy and five other hostages on 24 May 1871, was subsequently captured, tried by a military court, and shot at Satory, becoming the first of twenty-five Commune members to be executed. E. Appert, best known for his photographs of the Paris Commune, specialized as a portraitist of political figures of every persuasion, from sovereigns and deputies to magistrates. Accredited to the Tribunal de la Seine, he photographed Communards incarcerated at Versailles and incorporated these portraits into photomontages.

Reverse bears the printed studio imprint of E. Appert, "Peintre Photographe du Corps Législatif," 24, Rue Taitbout, Paris, with four silver medal roundels dated 1853, 1855, 1859, and 1867, and the printed notice regarding negatives retained for reordering. Inscribed in pencil in a contemporary hand: "Ferré / communist / Minister of War, also / ordered burning of / Tuileries &c!" Catalog notations "1 of 2," "Eb," and "COLDEZ" appear in pencil at the lower reverse.