Mannen bij veldgeschut tijdens de belegering van Mafeking 1900

Jan van Hoepen made this photograph, “Mannen bij veldgeschut tijdens de belegering van Mafeking,” in 1900. It shows a group of men with field artillery during the siege of Mafeking. The image provides a window into the Second Boer War, a conflict rooted in British imperial expansion and the resistance of the Boer republics in South Africa. The siege of Mafeking was a significant event in this war, capturing the attention of the British public and becoming a symbol of resistance against the Boers. Van Hoepen’s photograph, taken during this siege, offers insight into the social conditions of the time. Who are these men? Are they professional soldiers or civilian fighters? How does the image contribute to the narrative of the Boer War? Answering these questions involves considering the socio-political context in which the photograph was made and circulated. By exploring historical archives, personal accounts, and military records, we can better understand the complexities of this image and the social dynamics of the Boer War.