Wagens met Britse legervoorraden bij de Modderrivier, Zuid-Afrika 1900

This photograph captures wagons laden with British army supplies near the Modder River in South Africa. Though the artist is unknown, the image provides a window into the complex dynamics of colonial warfare. Consider the historical context: this photograph was likely taken during the Second Boer War, a conflict rooted in British imperial ambitions and control over South Africa's rich resources. The image shows us the logistics of war, but it also silently speaks to issues of race and power. Who were the people driving these wagons? What was their relationship to the British army and to the land? The photograph also invites reflection on the experiences of those directly impacted by the conflict. The emotional and personal dimensions of war are often overshadowed by grand narratives of military strategy, but here we see a glimpse into the everyday realities of those involved. This image then, is a reminder of the human cost of colonial expansion and the ways in which it continues to shape our world.