Sheep 

Joseph Farquharson painted ‘Sheep’ using oils, capturing a winter scene likely in Scotland, where he lived. In this period, Scottish art often idealized rural life, appealing to notions of national identity and the picturesque. Farquharson, however, wasn’t just painting pretty scenes. He was deeply involved in agriculture, even breeding his own flock of sheep specifically for his paintings. This intimate knowledge of rural life is evident in the painting's close attention to detail. Farquharson’s work romanticizes the Scottish Highlands but it can also be understood as a social commentary. The rise of industrialization brought concerns about disappearing traditional ways of life, and paintings like these offered a nostalgic counterpoint. The sheep themselves, stoic in the snow, might symbolize the resilience of the Scottish people and their connection to the land. To understand such art, we need to delve into historical records, agricultural practices, and the socio-economic forces shaping Scottish identity in the late 19th century.