Portrait of a Wounded KNIL Soldier

This Ghanaian was named Kees Pop when he joined the Dutch colonial army in the former slave fort Elmina located in present-day Ghana. His African name is unknown: he was the son of Kwamena and Ekoerva. ‘Pop’ signed on in 1869 for a twelve-year tour and fought in the Aceh War in Indonesia. Israels portrayed him – with his medals – in the Netherlands shortly before he returned to Africa.