What's Bauernmalerei

The word Bauernmalerei, pronounced Bow-urn-mall-er-eye (bow rhymes with cow), translates as "peasant painting" (literally "farmer painting") from German. Although this folk art evolved in Germany, Austria and Switzerland throughout three centuries and included many different regional styles, today it is all referred to as Bauernmalerei. In the United States we often call it "Bavarian Folk Art" because Bavaria is the largest area in Germany where this art can be found. (The Bavarian flag is represented by the blue and white diamonds.)

Today we can find virtually hundreds of variations of colorful flowers, birds, scenes and scrolls decorating every conceivable surface of wood, metal and even glass. German museums are full of prized collections. It was inevitable that Bauernmalerei would capture the imagination of decorative artists the world over!