Gezicht op een plein in Pretoria met Boerenkrijgsgevangenen 1901

This photograph captures a scene in Pretoria, showing Boer prisoners being led into the city. The composition is dominated by a dense crowd filling the central space, creating a powerful sense of mass and confinement. The sepia tones and subdued lighting emphasize the somber mood and historical distance. The artist's strategic use of perspective draws the eye towards the background, where the architecture of Pretoria frames the mass of figures. Lines of buildings on either side create a funnel effect, directing the viewer's gaze and accentuating the overwhelming number of prisoners. This visual structure serves not only to document a moment in history, but also to evoke feelings of oppression. Note how the formal elements work together to produce meaning, conveying the weight of the event. Photography's inherent capacity to replicate and disseminate imagery contributed to shaping public perceptions during this era. The photograph acts as a signifier, laden with historical and cultural meaning beyond its visual depiction.