Acrylic paint on panels
The work is made up of two low-reliefs, each 135 metres long, fixed on the two walls alongside the central platform. The low-reliefs feature over 140 characters taken from 22 Tintin albums. They are scenes executed in life size format and juxtaposed in order to create all sorts of amusing effects and unexpected situations. The whole scene plunges the passenger into a fantastic and fascinating environment. A playful atmosphere whose elements refer to a world which has appealed to the spirits, souls and imaginations of tens of millions of people over the past few decades. The sketches for the mural were drawn by Hergé himself just before his death. The characters were painted by Studio Hergé and were fixed to the walls at the end of the final works to complete the station. The mural contributes to conveying the image of Brussels as the “capital of comic strips”.
List of links
HERGÉ (Bruxelles, 1907 – 1983)
The Brussels comic book artist Hergé, born with the name Georges Remi, has made a considerable contribution to enhancing the reputation of the comic strip. He is the creator of a work that has conquered the whole world: the adventures of Tintin. His albums have been translated into over forty-five languages. Readers can easily identify with the loyal, clever, chivalrous hero. Alongside him star the shaggy fox terrier Snowy, captain Haddock, Professor Tournesol, Jansen and Janssens, Castafiore, etc. In 1950 Hergé set up the “Studio Hergé”, in order to have help with some of his work. Hergé was also a great appreciator of art. To start with he was mostly interested in expressionism, but as the years passed he became attracted to pop art style and abstract art. He was particularly intrigued by Warhol and Lichtenstein. The greatest quality of Hergé’s work was to do with his drawing style, known as “ligne claire” (clear line). His style was clear and precise and he took an overall approach that would inspire a whole generation of artists.