ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network:
Whose Africa? Transnational Memory of the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and Public Sculpture
Dr. Nicholas Parkinson (Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art)
Thurs 22 February 1700 (GMT) / 1800 (CET) / 1200 (EST) / 0900 (PT)
This talk concerns French sculptural commemoration of a faraway foreign conflict between two colonialist powers in present-day South Africa, the Boer republics (the South African Republic and the Free Orange State) and the United Kingdom. The Second Boer War (1899–1902) sealed British hegemony over South Africa and led the Boer governing politicians into exile. Although rarely discussed today, the Second Boer War played an important role in French foreign politics, in part due to the sizable number of French mercenaries who participated in the war. This paper focuses on Raoul Verlet’s public monument to Colonel Villebois-Mareuil. A veteran of the Franco-Prussian War, Villebois-Mareuil was among the hundreds of French troops who volunteered as mercenaries for the Boer army. Following his death at the Battle of Boshof in 1900, Verlet’s sculpture dedicated to his memory was inaugurated in 1902 in Nantes. I argue that French commemoration of the Second Boer War resulted in a symbiotic relationship between Boer republican government-in-exile, who, despite their history as colonizers, wanted to tie the memory of their war to anti-Imperialism, and France, who wanted to project an image as the defender of liberalism.
Nicholas Parkinson is a Carlsberg Foundation Internationalisation Fellow hosted by the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art. His research explores the relationship between art and power nineteenth-century international and local politics, especially through sculpture, urban space, and historiography.
This event will take place at 1700 GMT
This is a virtual event - the Zoom link will be provided upon signup, a reminder will also be sent out in advance of the event. For any issues please get in contact via info@ecrfrenchart.com
This event is open to anyone with an interest in the topic discussed.
About the Research Forum: ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network Research Forum is a virtually held research forum that allows recent PhD graduates, early career researchers as well as research fellows to present their most recent research. The forum aims to expose new and emerging scholarship and scholars engaging in exciting areas of research. The sessions will last around one hour, including an opportunity for questions and answers after the presentation. The events are open to all.
About the Network: The network is formed of current PhD students and ECRs working in nineteenth-century visual culture. We have monthly sessions for ECRs to present virtually , allowing them to develop their skills and share their research. It is global, open to those located anywhere in the world who wish to join. Feel free to join and participate, and we hope to create an engaging, diverse, fun and rewarding community.
For further updates and information on forthcoming events please look at our website or sign up to our mailing list . If you wish, drop us an email info@ecrfrenchart.com