Britse soldaten seinen naar New Zealand Hill vanaf Hospital Hill, 7 februari 1900

This stereograph from February 7th shows British soldiers signaling from Hospital Hill to New Zealand Hill, during reconnaissance in South Africa. It was made by an anonymous photographer, and distributed by Underwood & Underwood publishers. These photographs, popular at the turn of the century, offer insight into the visual culture surrounding colonial conflicts, particularly the Second Boer War. The image creates meaning through its stark depiction of military communication across a vast, sparsely populated landscape. The act of signalling, rendered visible through photography, underscores themes of control and surveillance, key elements of imperial power. Understanding this image requires acknowledging the socio-political context of British imperialism in South Africa, researching the strategies of colonial warfare, and studying the role of photography in shaping public perceptions of these conflicts. The institutional history of companies like Underwood & Underwood is also crucial, as they played a significant role in disseminating imperial narratives to a global audience.