Artwork
Group of Afredees
Group of Afredees is a photography by the Impressionist artist John Burke. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
He was one of the first photographers to work in Afghanistan, and his images are some of the earliest records of the conflict.
You see a black-and-white photo of Afghan soldiers standing in a loose line, rifles slung over their shoulders.
Burke took these pictures during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, but he wasn’t British—he was Irish. He was one of the first photographers to work in Afghanistan, and his images are some of the earliest records of the conflict. Since cameras then were slow, he couldn’t shoot battles, so he focused on people and places instead.
If you want to see more early war photography, look up *John Burke (Irish, 1845–1915)*.
Overview
Group of Afredees is a black-and-white photograph taken by John Burke during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a group of Afghan soldiers, known as Afredees, standing in a loose line with rifles slung over their shoulders, offering a glimpse into the people involved in the conflict.
Technique & Style
The photograph is characteristic of early conflict photography, with a static composition due to the technical limitations of the time, which precluded capturing action shots of battles.
History & Provenance
John Burke, an Irish photographer, took the image during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), making it one of the earliest photographic records of the conflict.
Artist & collection
Group of Natives from Near Khyber Pass
Afridi Picket near Jumrood
The Khan of Lalpura and Officers
The 44th Hill, Looking Towards Jugdalluck
The Amir Yakub Khan. The First Meeting with Major Cavagnari and Mr. Jenkins, 7 Miles from Safed Sang
The Amir Yakub Khan, General Daod Shah, Habeebula Moustafi, Major Cavagnari, Mr. Jenkyns
Jellalabad, Pipers Hill
Dakka Fort and Lalpura
Khyber Chiefs with Captain Tucker
Midway in Jugdalluck