Joseph Farquharson

We've all seen this iconic British painting, because it's one of our most popular Christmas cards, but what's its title and who painted it? Answer: Beneath The Snow Encumbered Branches (ca 1901) by Scottish laird Joseph Farquharson, nicknamed "Frozen Mutton Farquharson". It was last bought in the 1960s for £1,450. Card company WN Sharpe bought the publication rights to the picture more than 30 years ago. Now Hallmark Cards owns the rights. But the painting remained in private hands. Next Wednesday it goes on sale at auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull in Edinburgh and is expected to fetch a minimum of £70,000.