Geënsceneerde voorstelling van Britse soldaten die tijdens de Tweede Boerenoorlog gevangen zijn genomen en worden vrij gelaten bij Pretoria 1901

This stereograph, made by Underwood & Underwood, captures a staged scene of British soldiers released near Pretoria during the Second Boer War. These images, mass-produced for Western consumption, offer a glimpse into the war and its representation. The conflict itself was rooted in British colonial ambitions clashing with the independence of the Boer republics, leading to brutal battles and the establishment of concentration camps. The picture performs a certain narrative about the British Empire, conveying an image of power and control, with a focus on portraying the British soldiers as orderly and composed. But the photographic staging suggests an attempt to manage public perception of the war, obscuring its darker realities. Consider how these images, circulated widely, shaped the understanding of the war for those far removed from the conflict, reinforcing or challenging existing beliefs about colonialism, identity, and power. This photo reminds us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in image-making and the importance of critically examining the narratives they present.