Groepsportret van drie deelnemers aan de Tweede Boerenoorlog: P.J. Lemmer (65), J.D.L. Botha (15) en G.J. Pretorius (43) 1900

Jan van Hoepen made this photographic print, "Groepsportret van drie deelnemers aan de Tweede Boerenoorlog", depicting three figures involved in the Second Boer War, a conflict defined by British imperialism in South Africa. The photograph captures more than just a moment in time; it encapsulates the identities and the varied ages of those embroiled in war. We see P.J. Lemmer, an elder at 65; a youthful J.D.L. Botha, only 15 years old, and G.J. Pretorius, at 43. The image is a stark reminder of how conflict touches every segment of society, blurring the lines between age and duty. Each is posed with a rifle, wearing bandoliers, and they appear ready for combat. Consider the boy—his presence speaks volumes about the disruption of innocence. The photograph does not glorify the war, but humanizes it, urging us to reflect on the personal stories overshadowed by grand narratives. What does it mean to come of age in a time of war? What is lost when children are drawn into the theater of conflict?