Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to understand the role that 19th century photography can play in the
reconstruction of an era and in the conservation of cultural heritage in the 21st century. The
photo collection of William Roe, a photographer from Graaff-Reinet, is used as an example.
The origin and development of Graaff-Reinet is used as background information and major
events such as the Great Trek, the arrival of the railway, the Anglo-Boer War, the First World
War and the Great Flu are touched upon. Aspects such as education, churches, the library
and the hospital in Graaff-Reinet complement the study.
An overview of the development of photography covers several early photo-making
processes. These include the daguerreotype process, Talbot's paper negative process,
collotype and the popular carte de visite photographs. Photography specifically in South
Africa is also conferred, with particular reference to the first photographers working in the
country. Reference is made to the important influences major events like the discovery of
diamonds and gold as well as the Anglo-Boer War had on photography. The discussion of
William Roe as human being and his legacy as a photographer forms an integral part of the
study.
The Victorian period is discussed since this was the period in which Roe worked and lived. It
had a formative influence on his workmanship. An overview of the Victorian period in
England is followed by specific focus on South Africa during this time. The rush to the
diamond fields, issues with language and the trends of the times are pointed out. Many of
these trends are specifically indicated and discussed as they appear in Roe’s photos.
The photos have been categorized to clarify analysis of the different cultural phenomena.
The architecture and historical background of Graaff-Reinet’s churches and public buildings
are discussed. Streetscapes and images of the town as a whole show the development and
daily activities that took place. Photos of clothing represent a reconstruction of the fashions
of the concurrent Victorian era and those of public events such as sporting events,
celebrations, plays and a gathering during the Anglo-Boer War, display the social life of the
community. The role of human memory in the writing of cultural history is compared with the “memory”
role of photographs. At the same time the ability of photographs to reflect not only physical
culture, but also abstract concepts, receives attention. The use of these abilities of
photography in the preservation of culture is a challenge for conservationists of the 21th
century. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel om die rol wat 19de-eeuse fotografie kan vervul in die
rekonstruksie van ’n era en in die bewaring van kultuurgoedere vir die 21ste eeu, aan te
spreek. Die fotoversameling van William Roe van Graaff-Reinet word as voorbeeld gebruik.
Die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van Graaff-Reinet word as agtergrond behandel en belangrike
gebeurtenisse soos onder meer Die Groot Trek, die koms van die spoorlyn, die Anglo-
Boereoorlog, die Eerste Wêreldoorlog en die Groot Griep word uitgewys. Aspekte soos
opvoeding, kerke, die biblioteek en hospitaal is aanvullend bestudeer om ’n volledige beeld
van Graaff-Reinet daar te stel.
’n Oorsig oor die ontwikkeling van fotografie dek verskeie vroeë fotoprosesse soos die
daguerreoproses, Talbot se papiernegatief, die calotipe-fotoproses en die gewilde carte-devisite-
foto's. Fotografie in Suid-Afrika word bespreek met spesifieke verwysing na die eerste
fotograwe wat in die land werksaam was. Daar word verwys na die invloed wat belangrike
gebeurtenisse soos die ontdekking van diamante en goud, asook die Anglo-Boereoorlog, op
fotografie in Suid-Afrika gehad het. Die ondersoek na William Roe as mens sowel as sy
nalatenskap as fotograaf vorm ’n belangrike onderdeel van die studie.
Die Victoriaanse era word bespreek aangesien dit die tydperk was waarin Roe geleef en
gewerk het, en dus ’n vormende invloed op sy werk gehad het. ’n Oorsig oor die
Victoriaanse era in Engeland word gevolg deur ’n beskouing van dié era in Suid-Afrika. Die
stormloop na die diamantvelde, taalkwessies en heersende modeneigings word uitgewys.
Baie van die modeneigings word tydens die ontleding van die kultuurverskynsels op die
Roe-foto’s opgemerk en bespreek.
Die foto’s vir die ontleding van kultuurverskynsels is in kategorieë ingedeel. Die argitektuur
en historiese agtergrond van kerke en openbare geboue word bespreek. Straat- en
dorpsbeelde dui die ontwikkeling van en bedrywighede op die dorp aan. Kleredragfoto’s bied
’n rekonstruksie van die modes van die Victoriaanse era terwyl die foto’s van openbare
geleenthede soos sportbyeenkomste, feesvieringe, toneelopvoerings asook ’n samekoms
tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog die sosiale lewe van die inwoners van die dorp aandui. Die rol van die menslike geheue in kultuurgeskiedskrywing word vergelyk met die rol van
foto’s as “geheue”. Terselfdertyd word die vermoë van foto’s om nie net fisiese kultuur te
weerspieël nie, maar ook abstrakte konsepte te verteenwoordig, behandel. Die aanwending
van hierdie eienskappe van fotografie in kultuurbewaring is ’n uitdaging vir
bewaringskundiges van die 21ste eeu.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/95870 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Malherbe, Johanna Francina |
| Contributors | Burden, M., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 303 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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