Painting Styles 

Today, although the only produced painted beehives are now replicas and souvenirs, this has kept the cultural significance of beekeeping alive. The people who painted these were amateur artists. 

The classical period when the beehives were painted were during the first three quarters of the 19th century. The tradition most likely started in the Slovenian Alps. Then would begin to spread between Karawanks and into Koroska. This tradition cannot be found in the flatlands of Slovenia such as Pannonia and the eastern Dolenjska region.

It is believed they originally started the beehives for bees to easily find their own hives and beekeepers to easily distinguish between the beehives. It was also said they painted the beehives to protect against curses. These pictures typically were of religious origins or included significant life events. There was never portraits. Vanity was also not included in these pictures as this was not apart of the life style of the rural communities that painted them.  

People used these beehives as a form of creative expression. Some of them told religious stories such as Saint George or other scenes from the bible. Some were depictions of peasant life. They show the humor these people had. 

Here are some examples of the beehive panel stories: 

The story of Adam and Eve

Stories of marriage and infidelity 

Tales that were told while drinking