Step into the private world attributed to Mariano Bertuchi, where each page of this intimate sketchbook reveals fleeting moments, careful studies, and bursts of imagination. By the Spanish Orientalist known for his vivid depictions of Morocco and North Africa, this collection of works on paper captures a quieter, more introspective side of his practice.
From vibrant watercolor notations to delicate graphite portraits, the sketchbook presents a kaleidoscope of visual impressions—men and women in regional attire, architectural forms, expressive caricatures, and costume details rendered with keen observation and fluid gesture. It is an artist’s notebook, yes—but also a visual diary, alive with curiosity and rhythm.
The pages unfold like cinematic stills: a glance cast downward, a fountain rising in plume, a caricature frozen mid-sentence. The technical versatility is striking—Bertuchi moves from soft washes to sharp lines, blending painterly instinct with documentary precision. Each vignette offers a glimpse into his process: unfinished thoughts, fully realized expressions, and painterly asides.
Though undated, the works are consistent with Bertuchi’s mature hand. Of particular note is a fully signed composition on page 39, reading “Mariano Bertuchi, Guarda,” a rare clue pointing to authorship and locale.
Works of this nature—personal, authentic, and unrehearsed—offer unique value to collectors and scholars alike. They reveal not only the subject matter but the inner tempo of the artist’s mind. Such sketchbooks rarely survive intact, especially with this degree of variety and quality.
With provenance from a private collection in Marbella, this sketchbook was acquired at a Spanish auction over a decade ago. It remains in its original spiral-bound format with aged paper and cardboard covers, adding further historical texture to the work.
Whether for study, exhibition, or connoisseurship, this is a rare and poetic artifact—an artist’s journey across thirty-nine pages of thought and form.
Private collection, Marbella. Acquired by the current owner at a Spanish auction around 10 years ago.
Very good overall condition for its age. The sketchbook includes 39 pages with a mix of pencil drawings and watercolor sketches on one side, verso mostly blank. Minor foxing, edge wear, and aging to pages as expected. Original spiral binding intact. Outer and inner cardboard covers show signs of handling.
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Mariano Bertuchi was a Spanish painter, illustrator, and designer best known for his evocative depictions of North African landscapes and culture. Deeply inspired by his travels in Morocco, Bertuchi developed a unique watercolor style that combined academic training with a vivid, impressionistic flair. His work captured everyday moments, military scenes, and traditional life in colonial Morocco with striking clarity and vibrant color.
An influential figure in the Orientalist movement in Spain, Bertuchi held significant roles in the visual representation of Spanish colonial presence, serving as the official painter of the Protectorate of Morocco. His contributions extended beyond the canvas—he was also a designer of stamps, banknotes, and educational materials. Today, his works are valued for both their artistic merit and their documentation of cultural and historical encounters between Spain and North Africa.
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