Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 54 works by Joseph Farquharson in our catalogue
In short
Through the Calm and Frosty Air - Joseph Farquharson (2026) is the Joseph Farquharson painting that draws the most eyes. After it, the eye goes to George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist (1875) and Self Portrait (1882). Among the 54 works of Joseph Farquharson in our catalog, these 53 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
“Through the Calm and Frosty Air”—0555” by Joseph Farquharson stands as a testament to the Romantic spirit, capturing a moment frozen in time amidst the majesty of Scotland’s winter forests. Painted with meticulous care using acrylic on canvas, this artwork embodies the movement's core belief: that art should stir the soul and transport viewers beyond the everyday.
In this vertical bust-length portrait, Joseph Farquharson captures George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist, in a moment of quiet stillness. The subject sits slightly off-center, creating a sense of natural, unforced presence. While his body is turned toward the viewer's right, his gaze drifts back toward the front, meeting the eye-level perspective with a direct and intimate engagement. This close-up view pulls the observer into his immediate space, making…
This oil-on-canvas self-portrait, executed in 1882, presents a bust-length view of a man within an oval format. The subject is positioned slightly off-center, directing a steady gaze toward the viewer. A heavy chiaroscuro effect defines the lighting, where a single light source illuminates the forehead, nose, and cheek, while the opposite side of the face and the background remain in deep shadow. The color palette relies on muted, earthy tones,…
A vast, snow-covered field dominates the composition, rendered in stark whites and muted grays. Through the swirling wind and heavy atmosphere, a lone shepherd guides a flock of sheep across the open terrain. The low perspective emphasizes the immense scale of the landscape, making the figures appear small and vulnerable against the elements. A dark, ominous sky hangs over the scene, casting a somber light across the frost-covered ground. The…
The Orange Seller by Joseph Farquharson captures a quiet, sun-drenched moment within a Middle Eastern or North African alleyway. Painted about 1893, this Orientalist oil painting finds its center in a man dressed in traditional attire. He rests his weight against a heavy stone pillar, seeking shade from the midday heat. Beside him, a basket of oranges provides a sharp, bright contrast to the surrounding masonry.
The heat of the Egyptian sun filters through a hazy sky, casting a diffuse, soft light over a crowded marketplace. Along the banks of the Nile, the air feels thick with the movement of people and the low murmur of trade. Figures move through the scene in a rhythmic dance of daily survival, some resting in the shade while others engage in the spirited exchange of goods. The composition pulls…
Day's Dying Glow - Study1873
12
Currarie Glen, near Ballantrae1872
13
Sheep in a Snowstorm1892
14
The Weary Waste Of Snow, Forest Of Birse1898
15
Driving Snow1905
16
Loch Duich and the Five Sisters1905
17
Harvesting, Forest of Birse, Aberdeenshire1900
18
The Orra Man
19
William Littlejohn, Bank Agent
20
The Fading Many Coloured Woods
21
In the ShadeWilliamson Art Gallery - Museum
22
The Forest Path
23
Guide BridgeAtkinson Art Gallery Collection
24
In Deep Mid Winter
25
Afterglow1912
26
Scots Pines, Sunset1912
27
The Parasol
28
A Wet Day
29
Woodland Scene
30
The Ferry From The Island of Gazirie
31
Snow Covered Fields with Sheep
32
Winter Breakfast
33
The Sun Had Closed The Winter's Day -
34
Changing Pastures
35
When the West with Evening Glows
36
The Artist's Garden
37
Letterfern On Loch Duich
38
Sheep in the Snow
39
The Sun Had Closed The Winter Day
40
Yon Yellow Sunset Dying in the West
41
Sheep in Winter Snow
42
Glowed With Tints Of Evening Hours
43
The Sere and the Yellow Leaf
44
Feluccas on the Nile
45
Lady at the Piano
46
The Edge of the Wood
47
Herding Sheep in a Winter Landscape at Sunset
48
Fir Trees in the Glen
49
Egyptian Landscape
50
The Garden at Finzean, Aberdeenshire
51
The Feugh
52
EveningWolverhampton Art Gallery
53
The Shortening Winter's Day Is Near A Close
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 5 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Joseph Farquharson | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Scottish National Portrait Gallery |
Edinburgh | 1 | George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist |
 Manchester Art Gallery |
Manchester | 1 | Market on the Nile |
 Williamson Art Gallery - Museum |
Birkenhead | 1 | In the Shade |
 Atkinson Art Gallery Collection |
Southport | 1 | Guide Bridge |
 Wolverhampton Art Gallery |
Wolverhampton | 1 | Evening |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
In this vertical bust-length portrait, Joseph Farquharson captures George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist, in a moment of quiet stillness. The subject sits slightly off-center, creating a sense of natural, unforced presence. While his body is turned toward the viewer's right, his gaze drifts back toward the front, meeting the eye-level perspective with a direct and intimate engagement. This close-up view pulls the observer into his immediate space, making…
This oil-on-canvas self-portrait, executed in 1882, presents a bust-length view of a man within an oval format. The subject is positioned slightly off-center, directing a steady gaze toward the viewer. A heavy chiaroscuro effect defines the lighting, where a single light source illuminates the forehead, nose, and cheek, while the opposite side of the face and the background remain in deep shadow. The color palette relies on muted, earthy tones,…
The Orange Seller by Joseph Farquharson captures a quiet, sun-drenched moment within a Middle Eastern or North African alleyway. Painted about 1893, this Orientalist oil painting finds its center in a man dressed in traditional attire. He rests his weight against a heavy stone pillar, seeking shade from the midday heat. Beside him, a basket of oranges provides a sharp, bright contrast to the surrounding masonry.
Through the Calm and Frosty Air - Joseph Farquharson (2026). George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist (1875) and Self Portrait (1882) come next.
Through the Calm and Frosty Air - Joseph Farquharson, George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist, Self Portrait, The Joyless Winter Day, The Orange Seller, Market on the Nile, On the Dee near Woodend, Mrs Farquharson of Finzean (also known as The artist's stepmother), The Hour of Prayer (also known as Interior of the Mosque of Sultan Beni Hassan, Cairo) and A Scottish Interior - The Box Bed. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 54 works by Joseph Farquharson, dated from 1867 to 1912.
Mostly in Scottish National Portrait Gallery (Edinburgh), Manchester Art Gallery (Manchester) and Williamson Art Gallery - Museum (Birkenhead). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1870s: 5 of the 53 works on this page were made then, George Paul Chalmers, 1836 - 1878. Artist among them.
On this page, the earliest is On the Dee near Woodend (1867) and the latest Afterglow (1912).
Winter (7), Scottish landscape (6) and Landscape (4), across the 53 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 3 of the 53 works on this page.
Romanticism, judging by the originals on this page.
Joseph Farquharson (1846-1935) wasn’t a name that immediately resonates within the grand halls of art history, yet his canvases hold a profound and enduring appeal. Born in Edinburgh amidst the rugged beauty of Scotland, he possessed an innate ability to capture the essence of his homeland – its stark winters, its brooding moors, and the quiet dignity of its rural life. Farquharson’s legacy isn't one of flamboyant innovation or revolutionary technique; rather, it lies in a deeply felt connection to place, a masterful command of light and atmosphere, and an unwavering commitment to portraying the soul of Scotland through his art.
His early years were steeped in tradition. He was the laird of Finzean, a sprawling estate in Aberdeenshire, inheriting not just land but also a lineage deeply intertwined with Scottish history and culture. This connection profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His father, a respected physician, fostered an appreciation for observation and detail, while simultaneously encouraging young Joseph’s burgeoning talent. Formal training at the Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh provided a foundation, but it was the influence of Peter Graham, a fellow landscape painter known for his atmospheric depictions of the North Sea coast, that truly ignited Farquharson’s artistic spirit. Graham’s emphasis on capturing the raw power and beauty of nature – the relentless wind, the crashing waves, the shifting light – became a cornerstone of Farquharson's own approach.
A pivotal moment in Farquharson’s artistic development arrived with his relocation to Paris in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Seeking a broader exposure to contemporary art movements, he studied under Carolus-Duran, a prominent French painter associated with the Impressionist movement. Duran's teachings emphasized direct observation, capturing fleeting moments of light and color, and utilizing loose, expressive brushstrokes. This shift marked a significant departure from the more academic traditions he’d encountered earlier. Farquharson absorbed these new techniques, incorporating them into his already established style – a subtle yet transformative change that allowed him to render the Scottish landscape with an increased sense of immediacy and vibrancy.
His time in Paris also exposed him to the work of Gustave Courbet, whose realist approach—a focus on depicting nature without idealization—resonated deeply. Farquharson’s paintings began to reflect this influence, showcasing a heightened awareness of texture, detail, and the subtle nuances of light and shadow. He continued to paint in his beloved Finzean, but now with a renewed sensitivity and a more modern sensibility.
Farquharson’s fame rests primarily on his evocative depictions of winter landscapes. These aren't romanticized visions of snow-covered beauty; they are often stark, unforgiving scenes – vast expanses of white under a leaden sky, punctuated by the silhouettes of sheep huddled against the cold. He possessed an uncanny ability to convey the biting wind, the oppressive silence, and the profound isolation of these environments. The recurring motif of sheep—often depicted in small flocks struggling against the elements—became synonymous with his work, earning him the affectionate (and somewhat ironic) nickname “Frozen Mutton Farquharson.”
His technique was remarkably consistent: he would meticulously prepare a painting hut equipped with a stove and a large window, allowing him to observe the landscape directly. He employed a clever trick – using artificial sheep—to ensure accurate placement within his compositions, capturing the precise arrangement of animals against the dramatic backdrop. This dedication to realism, combined with his masterful use of color and light, created paintings that felt utterly immersive, transporting the viewer directly into the heart of the Scottish winter.
Farquharson’s work gained increasing recognition throughout his career, culminating in election as an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1900, followed by full membership in 1915. He exhibited extensively at prestigious institutions, including the Royal Society of Arts and the Tate Gallery. His paintings are now held in major collections across Scotland and beyond, testament to their enduring appeal. Beyond his artistic achievements, Farquharson’s story is one of a man deeply connected to his land, a keen observer of nature, and a dedicated artist who captured the spirit of Scotland with remarkable skill and sensitivity. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike, reminding us of the profound beauty and power that can be found in the simplest of landscapes.
