What began as a spark of emotion has grown into a lifetime of passion, shaped by love, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to Moroccan art. In Marrakech, Elisabeth Bauchet-Bouhlal is publicly sharing for the first time a remarkable collection of modern and contemporary Moroccan works that she and her husband, Jamil Bouhlal, have assembled over several decades. The exhibition, From Morocco With Love, brings together nearly 130 pieces at the Es Saadi Palace—an intimate reflection of a shared journey deeply rooted in both personal experience and cultural devotion.
This collection tells a story that is anything but ordinary. When Bauchet-Bouhlal first came to Morocco in the 1960s to take over her family’s hotel business, she quickly found herself captivated by the country—not just its landscapes, but its soul. Her connection to Morocco deepened through her relationship with the local art scene. A pivotal moment came when Jamil, her future husband, gave her a painting by Ahmed Louardiri. That gesture was more than romantic; it marked the beginning of a lifelong collaboration between two people and the artists who inspired them.
Jamil Bouhlal, one of the earliest Moroccan engineers, had close ties to major figures like Ahmed Cherkaoui and Jilali Gharbaoui. As a couple, they immersed themselves in artists’ studios, building genuine relationships and witnessing firsthand the evolution of Moroccan art at a time of significant transformation. In the 1970s, as the legacy of colonial-era art education began to fade, a new generation of artists began asserting their voices—bolder, freer, and deeply connected to local narratives.
The exhibition captures that energy and evolution. It spans from early 20th-century works by Jacques Majorelle to vibrant, contemporary pieces by Hassan Hajjaj. The themes explored are rich and varied—identity, memory, tradition, power dynamics—all woven together with a strong thread of Moroccan popular culture, full of vitality and depth. Though the artists showcased come from different eras and stylistic backgrounds, their work is in conversation, crossing decades to speak to one another in compelling ways.
For Bauchet-Bouhlal, every section of the exhibition echoes a piece of her own life. From the memories of her Parisian childhood home, where her father taught her the value of art, to her work with the Tate Modern’s acquisition committee for the Middle East and North Africa, this project is deeply personal. Her dedication was recognized in 2014 with a royal honor at the opening of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.
But From Morocco With Love is more than just a showcase of artworks—it’s an invitation to see Moroccan art through the lens of a passionate collector who never stopped engaging with the world around her. The exhibition’s heart, the Jnane Elisabeth space, reflects this spirit. Free from academic or chronological constraints, it allows connections to emerge organically—through emotion, memory, and intuition. It’s a window into a life shaped by art, and a love that continues to grow.
