Gezicht op de Sandrivier in Zuid-Afrika met op de voorgrond het voetleger van Lord Roberts (Frederick Sleigh Roberts) en rechts op de achtergrond een luchtballon 1900

This stereograph, made around 1900 by an anonymous photographer, shows Lord Roberts' infantry crossing the Sand River in South Africa. The image, mass-produced by Underwood & Underwood, speaks volumes about the British Empire's self-image and its projection of power. Consider the composition: the vast landscape, the orderly lines of soldiers, and the surveillance balloon overhead. These visual elements construct a narrative of control, modernization, and military might. The photograph was taken during the Second Boer War, a brutal conflict fought over control of South Africa's rich resources. Stereographs like this one were popular forms of entertainment and education, shaping public opinion about distant lands and colonial ventures. They present a sanitized view of war, eliding the violence, suffering, and resistance inherent in the colonial project. To fully understand this image, we need to consult historical archives, military records, and accounts from both sides of the conflict. The image can be a powerful reminder that art and photography are always embedded in social, political, and institutional contexts.