In his earlier paintings, Bauernfeind focused on local views of Germany, as well as motifs from Italy.

The oil paintings of Bauernfeind are mostly meticulously crafted, intricately composed and almost photographically accurate cityscapes and images of known edifices.

[2] During his lifetime he was the most popular Orientalist painter of Germany, but would fade into irrelevance after his death.

However, since the early 1980s, Bauernfeind was gradually rediscovered, with his paintings appearing at auctions with high prices.

[4] At his birthplace in Sulz am Neckar, the life and work of the painter is commemorated by the Gustav Bauernfeind Museum with a large permanent exhibition.