This is one of the most challenging subjects even for an accomplished artist to capture. The golden sun peeks through the wintry hills and trees and would be almost blinding without the thicket of branches. It is so close to reality that it provokes us to stop and look more closely. The scene will only last a fleeting moment before the sun rises further and loses its magical glow. We can almost hear the sheep baa-ing with excitement as they flock towards the farmer with his bale of dry hay. Breakfast at last!

The snow clings to every branch in the trees, to every single surface from roof tops to the dry-stone walls. How beautiful it all looks from the warmth of ones own home. But we think of the poor shepherd who has to suffer all weathers - every day without a break. Is this his cottage in the background on the left of the picture? Because if it is only the hay barn, he may have had to walk miles! Let us hope in this case that it is his home and that his wife and children are all in front of a roasting log fire.

Joseph Farquarson was a Scottish painter noted for his winter landscape scenes and often had a story to tell about each canvas. He was born in Edinburgh in 1846 and studied under Peter Graham R.A. He exhibited at the R.A. from 1873. In 1880 he studied under Carolus Duran in Paris. Farquarson also visited Egypt and painted Eastern mosques and market places.