Born in Essaouira, Mustapha Asmah is part of the tradition of the "unique artists" of his town—self-taught creators whose work emerges from the collective memory, mystical atmosphere, and cultural blend of Essaouira. His work draws from an imaginative realm combining Arab, Berber, and African influences, expressed through stylized forms, human or animal figures, bright colors, and an intuitive energy. Mustapha Asmah is among the artists highlighted from the beginnings of the Damgaard Gallery. Founded in 1988 in Essaouira by Danish Frédéric Damgaard, the gallery was pioneering—the first in the city—in promoting local naive, popular, and spontaneous art. Located opposite the clock, at the gates of the medina, the Damgaard Gallery provided a stable and respectful exhibition space for Essaouira artists, allowing their works to reach a national and international audience. Thanks to this gallery, painters and sculptors often from modest backgrounds—farmers, fishermen, artisans—have been able to see their work recognized and disseminated outside traditional circuits. Mustapha Asmah, as an artist supported by this institution, thus belongs to a strong cultural heritage, that of a mythical and inspiring city that has become a center of art and creative freedom. Owning a work by Asmah means not only acquiring a vibrant painting—infused with the raw emotion, memory, and imagination of Essaouira—but also a fragment of the history of Essaouira art, made accessible by the Damgaard Gallery. This provenance adds historical and cultural value to the work, particularly appreciated by collectors of naive art, outsider art, or Moroccan contemporary art. Type: Oil Country of origin: France Genre: Outsider art, Brut art Characteristics: Signed Theme: Portrait, Self-portrait