Look at Source 3.
Art work called ‘Souvenir of Two Heroic Defences’, 1900, Catalogue ref: COPY 1/166.
This document comes from The National Archives copyright collection. It refers to the sieges of Ladysmith and Mafeking which both ended earlier that year. Ladysmith was besieged by Boer forces for 118 days, and suffered from food shortages and disease, before forces under commander of Redvers Buller broke through on 28 February. Mafeking was under siege for 217 days, and liberated on 17 May 1900, and turned British commander, Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, into a national hero.
- Why do you think this souvenir image was produced?
- What is the significance of the town hall and hospital in the image?
- Why do you think that two frames were left blank at the top left and bottom right of the artwork?
- How would you describe the scenery in the image?
- In what ways could this source be viewed as propaganda for Britain’s role in Boer war and the British Empire?
- Why do you think the artist wanted to ensure copyright for this artwork?