Bust of Hergé

Hergé (whose real name was Georges Remi) is honored in Angoulême with a bronze bust located on Place Marengo, on the street that bears his name. This monument symbolizes the close ties between the city, recognized as the international capital of comics, and the creator of Tintin.

History

• The bust was commissioned in 1987.
• It was unveiled on January 27, 1989, in the lobby of the National Center for Comics and Visual Arts (CNBDI), now the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l'Image (CIBDI), in the presence of former Minister of Culture Jack Lang and the artist himself.
• In 2003, when Rue Marengo was renamed Rue Hergé, the bust was moved to its current location on Place Marengo. The unveiling ceremony took place in the presence of King Philippe of Belgium and his wife, Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

Production

• The bust is made of bronze.
• It was created by the Chinese sculptor Zhang Chongren (often transcribed as Tchang Tchong-jen).
• Tchang was a close friend of Hergé and inspired the character of Tchang in the comic book *The Blue Lotus*, which gives this work a strong personal and artistic dimension.

Heritage

The bust is part of the local cultural heritage of the city of Angoulême. Beyond its artistic value, it illustrates the city’s cultural identity, which celebrates comics through its statues, murals, and the Angoulême International Comics Festival. It is a popular stop for visitors exploring the city’s iconic sites dedicated to the ninth art.