Long Tom Lombaardskop

A drawing titled Long Tom, Lombaardskop by the Dutch / South African artist Frans David Oerder (1867-1944) was drawn on 29 October 1899. During the South African War (1899-1902) Oerder was paid by the Transvaal Government to paint scenes from the war. He was captured early on and stayed in Pretoria where he painted the everyday life of the British in the capital. This is one of the drawings created by him during the war. A Long Tom is the local name for a French Creusot 155mm field canon that was used by the Boer Forces during the war. On 30 October 1899, just a day after Oerder drew this picture Lombaards Hill was attacked by the British forces, who was defeated and named the day “Mournful Monday”. Short Biography: Frans Oerder was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands came to South Africa in 1890. He was mostly known for painting landscapes, still-life and portraits. After the South African War Oerder returned to The Netherlands in 1908 where he settled and married fellow painter Gerda Pitlo in 1910. In 1938 with a second war looming in Europe, Oerder returned to South Africa where he passed away in 1944.