Joseph Denovan Adam (1842–1896) was a celebrated Scottish painter who became the preeminent animalier of the late Victorian era. Born in Glasgow and trained under his father, landscape painter Joseph Adam, he eventually established his own "animalier" school at Craigmill, near Stirling, where he kept live Highland cattle as models for his students. His work is the quintessential representation of the British Academic style, specifically focusing on the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. While he did not have one single lifelong patron, his work was highly sought after by the Scottish aristocracy and the Royal Scottish Academy, where he was elected a full member in 1892. Famous for works such as "Cattle in the Highlands" and "The herding of the flock," Adam’s paintings are defined by their incredible texture—from the coarse, shaggy coats of the cattle to the misty, damp atmosphere of the moors. Translating a Joseph Denovan Adam painting into a counted cross stitch design offers a rewarding challenge in rendering natural textures and earthy tones. Stitching his work brings a piece of the wild, romantic Scottish landscape into your home, evoking the peaceful yet sturdy spirit of the Highlands with every thread.