Abderrahman Slaoui Museum, Casablanca

The Abderrahman Slaoui Museum, situated in Casablanca, stands as a tribute to the late Abderrahman Slaoui, a Moroccan businessman and esteemed art collector who passed away in 2001. Officially opened in May 2012, the museum is operated by the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation and showcases a rich array of exhibits that reflect Slaoui’s diverse interests and passion for art.

The museum boasts a notable collection of old posters, Moroccan jewelry, and artworks, including figurative paintings by Muhammad Ben Ali Rabati and landscapes by Jacques Majorelle. It holds Morocco's largest collection of Orientalist posters, depicting Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. These late 19th-century posters, created by artists like Majorelle, Charles Halo, and Joseph de la Néziere, were originally designed to attract tourists to North Africa's 'exotic' destinations.

A standout feature of the museum is its extensive collection of 18th- and 19th-century Moroccan gold jewelry. This collection has been preserved largely due to Slaoui's foresight and the expertise of his father-in-law, a prominent jeweler from Fes. The collection showcases traditional wedding jewelry, including earrings, tiaras, frontal piece brooches, and substantial necklaces, typically shared or rented within communities for special occasions.

In contrast, the museum also explores the silver and embellished jewelry of Amazigh women, worn in daily life and rich in symbolic meaning, signifying purity and cultural identity. These artifacts underscore the important role Amazigh women play as custodians of culture, language, and traditional crafts.

Further enriching the museum’s offerings are the works of Muhammad Ben Ali Rabati, an early modern Moroccan painter whose art vividly captures scenes from Tangier. Rabati's career flourished under the patronage of Sir John Lavery, a distinguished artist from the royal court of England, who exposed Rabati's works to broader audiences.

The museum is not only a repository of historical artifacts but also a vibrant cultural center. It hosts temporary exhibitions every quarter, featuring contemporary Moroccan artists across various media including photography, sculpture, and mixed media. These exhibitions often engage with Moroccan culture and create dialogues with the museum's existing collections.