Bauernmalerei or Peasant Painting, sometimes referred to as ‘Farmer Painting’, developed during the 17th century in Central Europe when furniture with intricate wood inlays became very popular for the upper classes. After the difficulties suffered during the thirty year war, which was between 1618 - 1648 fought where the country of Germany now stands, people sought to resume their normal lives.
  
As the world settled around them, the ‘country’ populations or peasantry began to reestablish their lives and homes, but couldn’t financially afford the finer inlaid furniture which had become so popular with the upper classes. Their desire to own replicas created a new style of art.

Everyday furniture and useful wooden objects that were part of everyday life were built by the local carpenters. These furniture pieces soon began reflecting artwork as these carpenters tried their hand at painting.  They soon became quite creative and by imitating the finer styles of more expensive pieces with their painted decorations, their works were made very popular.
 
Early Bauernmalerei shows decorated furniture with painted geometrical designs and floral compositions, where the floral motifs were taken from local flowers which grew in profusion in their local communities.

Later on, as this art style matured and evolved, design elements from the Rococo period, such as scrolls became an intricate part of this simple country style.  Today we see not only collectible furniture decorated in this style but also wooden plates, coat hangers, milk cans and other useful household objects. The techniques used demand good brush control, the use of a simple color palette reflecting the traditional colors most often used in this charming work. 

Bauernmalerei style painted furniture...

Note the brightly painted images. The religious icons, that of the 'Sacred heart of Jesus and Mary' were quite popular. The lower half of the cupboard shows symmetrical floral motifs on each door. It is also interesting to see the Rococo styled scrolls at the top of the piece. These scrolls were incorporated into the design process of the furniture.

Painted armoire circa 1825 (photo obtained from the public domain)

During the 16th century in Central Europe furniture with intricate wood inlays became very popular.  The country population couldn’t financially afford this type of furniture so carpenters also became painters by imitating the wood inlays with painted decoration.  Early Bauernmalerei shows decorated furniture with painted geometrical designs and floral composition. Later, the Rococo scrolls became an intricate part of this style.  Today we see not only furniture decorated in this style but also wooden plates, coat hangers, milk canes and other useful objects.