BAUERNMALEREI

The term Bauernmalerei is pronounced “Bow-urn-mall-er-eye” (bow rhymes with cow) and translates as "peasant painting" (literally "farmer painting") from German. It came about through a desire by ordinary folk to imitate the home and furniture decoration of the very wealthy, and is characterized by its simple, stroke-based style, sometimes on a faux wood grain background.  It probably was not often painted by the actual farmer, but more likely by traveling artisans. Although this type of folk art evolved in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland throughout three centuries and included many different regional styles, today it is referred to as Bauernmalerei.