Gezicht op een vlakte in Zuid-Afrika waar is gevochten tijdens de Tweede Boerenoorlog 1901

This stereograph, made by Underwood & Underwood, shows a landscape in South Africa during the Second Boer War. It's a mass-produced image, printed using photographic processes that were rapidly developing at the time. The photo’s material simplicity belies its complex social context. As a multiple, this stereograph was designed for wide distribution, bringing distant conflicts into homes across the world. This ease of reproduction was only possible due to industrialized methods, linking photography to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Notice how the stark landscape evokes the harsh realities of war. The scene is raw and unglamorous, far from heroic portrayals, and the labor involved in war is a heavy burden. This stereograph, in its own way, challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, using a humble medium to convey powerful narratives. The way it was made and the context it captures, invites us to reflect on the human cost of conflict and the power of images in shaping public perception.