Gezicht op de South African Light Horse te paard bij De Aar 1900

This photograph shows the South African Light Horse regiment, and was produced by Underwood & Underwood. This is a stereographic image, meaning that it was produced to be viewed with a special device that creates the illusion of three dimensions. This technology was popular at the end of the 19th century, and was used to create both entertainment and educational material for a wide audience. The South African Light Horse regiment was a British unit that fought in the Second Boer War. The war itself was a conflict over control of territory and resources in South Africa, and was fought between the British Empire and the Boer Republics. This image is a window into the complex and often violent history of colonialism. As an art historian, I'm interested in understanding how images like this one were used to shape public opinion and justify imperial expansion. By researching the history of the South African Light Horse regiment and the Second Boer War, and understanding the cultural context of the stereographic image, we can begin to understand its meaning and significance.