Britse artillerie beschiet de Boeren bij de Modderrivier, Zuid-Afrika 1900

This stereoscopic image shows British artillery shelling Boer positions at the Modder River in South Africa. It was produced by an anonymous photographer, probably around the turn of the 20th century. Images like these, mass-produced for popular consumption, served a vital purpose. They helped manufacture public consent for colonial expansion by constructing a narrative around British military strength. Note how the photograph focuses on the regimented power of the artillery, a not-so-subtle assertion of dominance. The presence of the river in the background alludes to the strategic importance of controlling natural resources. South Africa was rich in diamonds and gold, which fuelled Britain's imperial ambitions. The Anglo-Boer War was, to some extent, a war for control of these resources. To understand images like these, historians consult a variety of sources, from military records to personal diaries. By examining the institutional context, we can better understand the complex ways in which art and power intersect.