An exhibition titled “Mariano Bertuchi, Moroccan Scenes” is currently being held at the Cervantes Institute in Tetouan, Morocco, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the death of Mariano Bertuchi, the renowned Spanish painter. The show, which opened on Tuesday, features 68 of Bertuchi’s artworks painted between 1903 and 1927, showcasing daily life in early 20th century Morocco.
Bertuchi, born in 1884 in Granada, developed a deep fascination with Morocco during his travels in the early 1900s. His works captured street scenes, markets, landscapes, and portraits of Moroccan people, offering a rare and vivid portrayal of the country’s culture at that time. The artist settled in Tetouan, where he passed away in 1955, and his legacy remains significant, particularly in this city.
Juan Ramón Roca, the exhibition curator, praised Bertuchi for his ability to convey the essence of Moroccan life through his art. Francisco Oda Ángel, director of the Cervantes Institute in Tetouan, highlighted Bertuchi’s instrumental role in Morocco’s art development, noting that he founded the School of Fine Arts of Morocco, the first of its kind in Africa.
This monthlong exhibition celebrates Bertuchi’s contribution to the arts and preserves an invaluable visual record of Morocco during a time of transformation.
