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The Shortening Winter's Day is Near a Close (475 Piece Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle)

$119.95
$119.95
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Joseph Farquharson, the Scottish painter, was a natural artist from a young age. His father, a doctor working in Edinburgh,...
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NP23-475-670
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  • Every puzzle invites you to discover uniquely handcrafted whimsy (shaped) pieces, thoughtfully designed to complement the image theme.
  • Irregular pieces provide an engaging challenge, keeping puzzlers intrigued with interesting shapes and rewarding problem-solving.
  • To ensure exceptional durability, each puzzle is crafted from premium 4mm FSC-certified Finnish birch plywood.
  • Nautilus Puzzles are thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted in the USA, on California's sunny central coast.
  • The puzzles are precision laser cut with advanced technology, ensuring every piece fits together perfectly for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Joseph Farquharson, the Scottish painter, was a natural artist from a young age. His father, a doctor working in Edinburgh, was also an amateur artist and would allow his son to use his studio every weekend. He bought Farquharson his first set of paints when he was 12, and it was only a year later the budding artist would exhibit at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Born in Edinburgh in 1846, he divided his time between Scotland and London, where he set up a studio to appeal to all the wealthy patrons there. He inherited the family estate and the title of Laird from his father, and his art style was fully formed on 20,000 acres in the Scottish highlands.

Farquharson is most famous for his works portraying sheep, and his finest works often include human figures. Men and women of Scotland going about their everyday labors are frequently depicted in dramatic landscapes. Nearly all his early works were inspired by his rural surroundings, and he went on to make snow scenes his trademark. 

He was adept at capturing the warmth and light of sunrises and twilight. His paintings typically have unusual titles and are sometimes long. Many were taken from poems by Burns, Milton, Shakespeare, and Gray. Farquharson was very patriotic and well-versed in Scottish literature.

The remarkable realism of Farquharson's work can be attributed to his desire to work en plein air. This had to be done uniquely to adapt to the harsh Scottish climate. He constructed a painting hut on wheels, with a stove and a large window for observing the landscape. To achieve as realistic a result as possible when painting the sheep that frequently appear in his snowscapes, he used a flock of imitation sheep that could be placed as required in the landscape of his choice. Farquharson painted so many scenes of cattle and sheep in the snow he was nicknamed "Frozen Mutton Farquharson."

The perfect gift for wooden jigsaw puzzlers and Winter lovers, this traditional adult wooden jigsaw puzzle can be done time and again. Our wooden jigsaw puzzle artists have included many shaped whimsy wooden jigsaw puzzle pieces that match the subject of the painting, and we have integrated them in ways that will delight and surprise you as you put the wooden jigsaw puzzle together.
 
  • Includes Bonus Poster to Guide Assembly
  • Irregular Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Edge for a Little More Challenge
  • Number of Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces: 475
  • Completed Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Size: 15.5" X 10.5"
  • Artist: Joseph Farquharson
  • Serial #: NP23-475-670
  • Wood Thickness: 4mm
  • Design Cut Style: Modern
  • Difficulty: Level 3
  • Made in the USA
  • Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults
  • Serial #: NP23-475-670
  • Includes a Bonus Poster to Guide Assembly
  • Made in the USA
  • Number of Puzzle Pieces: 475
  • Completed Puzzle Size: 15.5" X 10.5"
  • Design Cut Style: Modern
  • Difficulty: Level 3

Joseph Farquharson

Joseph Farquharson (1846–1935) was a Scottish landscape painter who was celebrated for his evocative winter scenes and masterful use of light. He is best known for his snow-covered landscapes, often featuring sheep and shepherds. He combined technical precision with a romantic sensibility, capturing the quiet drama of rural life in the Scottish Highlands. His ability to render atmosphere—particularly the glow of dawn or the chill of fading daylight—set his work apart in the tradition of 19th-century realism.

Farquharson, born into a well-off family, was a man of innovation. His education in Edinburgh, studies at the Royal Academy Schools in London, and apprenticeship under Carolus-Duran in Paris contributed to his artistic journey. His upbringing on a country estate in Aberdeenshire profoundly influenced his subject matter, providing him with direct access to the landscapes and pastoral scenes that became central to his work. His most notable innovation was the construction of a mobile painting hut on wheels, a testament to his determination to work outdoors during the harsh Scottish winters without sacrificing comfort or precision.

Farquharson, a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy in London, where his paintings were well-received by critics and the public. His works are widely admired for their technical excellence and emotional warmth. Today, he is remembered not only as a skilled painter but as an artist who, with enduring sensitivity, captured rural Scotland's stillness and subtle beauty. His work serves as a timeless connection to the past, a testament to the enduring nature of art.

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