Le Jardin aux Etoiles
Riad between Agadir and Taroudant, in southern Morocco
Holiday rental with a resident of Swiss nationality
 Oriental-style DaedalusThe interior of the palace, which can be visited in detail, is sumptuous. |  Between Taroudant and the Atlas mountainsA 75-hectare estate. |  Palace in the greenerySurrounded by Washington palms, orange trees and cypresses. |  Fassi styleThis piece, in particular the doors and beds, follows the canons of Fès craftsmanship. |  MausoleumThis is the final resting place of Claudio Bravo, who died on 4 June 2011 in his palace in Taroudant. |  Menara and mausoleumThe building in the foreground is inspired by the famous garden and pavilion in Marrakech. In the background, the building where the artist is laid to rest. |
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 Claudio BravoHyperrealist painter, born in Valparaiso in 1936, died in Taroudant in 2011. |  1001 nightsThe entrance to Claudio Bravo's palace. |
Claudio Bravo Palace: unique place
where floats the soul of the painter
The painter of Chilean origin Claudio Bravo died of an epileptic seizure on June 4, 2011 in his extraordinary palace, located very close to Taroudant. Also called Claudio Bravo Palace, this quite exceptional place perpetuates the memory of the hyperrealist painter, highly rated in the art world. Claudio Bravo had chosen to live and work in Morocco for its exceptional light. He first set his sights on Tangier, then on Marrakesh, before settling definitively at Taroudant.
This great artist stayed since 2003, initially for part of the year, in the Roudanese palace that he built facing the Atlas. A place chosen, he says, because of the "world record for days without sunshine, which reaches only 25 days a year".
Mixture of realism, abstraction and classicism
Claudio Bravo stands out as an exceptional observer of immobile and frozen things. However, we are far from classic still lifes, as evidenced by the compositionsbelow. "My work is a mixture of realism, abstraction and classicism, explained the Chilean artist.What I'm trying to do is go against current trends in art".
Claudio Bravo found in Morocco the inspiration he was looking for, tireless energy, light, colors, people. Critics agree that he painted the reality and non-reality of his surroundings wonderfully. Millimeter, his technical mastery is exceptional. The portrait of the young woman in the turban below reminds us wisely of how much he internalized Velasquez at the Prado or the Flemish masters. The restrained sensuality of the football players he painted was another facet of Claudio Bravo's extraordinarily eclectic palette.
The influence of nature and religion
For a while there was talk of opening a school of fine arts at his home in Taroudant, which was supposed to accommodate 200 students, but his disappearance prevented this beautiful project from seeing the light of day. Claudio Bravo is in any case inspired by the nature that surrounds him, as shown by his landscapes of the Atlas.
It has been said a lot that the Muslim religion influenced his formal and chromatic research. He thus produced a series of men in prayer and the cemetery below confirms this attraction. Nevertheless, his Christian culture expresses itself just as powerfully. His "Madonna" is rich in symbolism. The background of the landscape is none other than that of the kasbahs of southern Morocco. Stunning ! You can make it your wallpaper...
An extraordinary museum that we visit
This palace has become an extraordinary museum. From the Garden to the Stars, you can access it by a little over an hour. Entrance fee for a high quality guided tour, which we highly recommend: 200 dirhams (20 €) per person, including final tea facing the Atlas and the reconstitution of the Menara. The palace includes many works by the painter. These are copies.
Reservations and information:
Najoua Tabchich, communication manager, who generally accompanies visitors:
+212 6 912 421 61 and +212 6 619 681 21
+212 6 619 044 50
+212 6 938 178 30 (Mr Mourino)
+212 5 282 160 78
Overview of the works of the master of hyperrealism, Claudio Bravo
The hyper-realist painter was not averse to representing himself.
Morocco features prominently in Claudio Bravo's work.
The grace and respect of the master of hyperrealism.
Oil on linen, 1992.
Eroticism often magnified.
Tribute to the Souss, Morocco's garden.
Moroccan models were the artist's favourite.
A very personal interpretation of the birth of Jesus.
The background is typically Berber.
Oil on canvas, 2007 : "Beige, red and yellow papers on dark rose background" (titel in English).
The nature of Morocco also inspired the painter.
En noir et blanc. Sa reproduction se trouve à l'entrée du Palais.
Virtual tour of the Palace of Claudio Bravo
Typical Arabic style. Photo by Philippe Terrier.
A majestic avenue lined with palm trees.
A magnificent group of Echinocactus grusonii, also known as mother-in-law's cushion...
Tribute to King Hassan II, father of Mohamed VI.
Very good taste.
Very refined.
The architecture of the Palace was designed by Claudio Bravo himself.
Everything has been thought out by the artist, from the general architecture to the decor.
Emperor Claudius elevated Tingis (Tangier) to the rank of Roman colony. Claudio Bravo painted for a long time in his palace in Tangier.
And a Roman-style statue.
Splendour.
Magnificent colours.
Sous les oliviers.
Proportions magnifiques.
Collection sublime de verres colorés.
On retrouve le même principe dans notre Salon Atlas, interprété tout à fait différemment.
Il a été conservé dans l'état où il se trouvait le jour de la mort de Claudio Bravo.
Jeux de lumière.
La modernité a aussi sa part dans le palais.
Dépouillement et tradition revisitée.
Fontaine au centre, quatre parts de jardin.
Au premier plan, le bâtiment inspiré de la Ménara de Marrakech et au second le mausolée où repose Claudio Bravo.
Objets marocains rares dans les vitrines.
Pierre tombale sous laquelle repose Claudio Bravo.