Hervé TANQUERELLE La Terre verte

The Vikings have settled in Greenland, where they have prospered for many years; but now their fortunes are in decline and their people on the verge of disappearing for good. It is into this apocalyptic setting that a power-hungry man with a troubled past, a man dealt an unfortunate hand by fate, disembarks La Terre verte, published by Éditions Delcourt, is the product of a first-time collaboration between Alain Ayroles (De cape et de crocs, Garulfo, Les Indes fourbes) and Hervé Tanquerelle (Les Racontars arctiques, Groenland Vertigo, Le Dernier Atlas). By setting their story in a well-documented period of history, the duo have produced an original fictional tragedy that has echoes of both Shakespeare and Ingmar Bergman. And perhaps we should also read La Terre verte as a contemporary warning regarding our own future? Either way, this is an impressive work of serious fiction, and an engaging and indispensable read in terms both of its story and the manner in which it brings history to life before our very eyes.

Hervé Tanquerelle is always looking for new technical directions in which to take his art and for this album has chosen to work in ink and graphite, illustrating this chilly, twilit tale by placing each of his characters in breathtakingly beautiful settings.  The subtle range of greys achieved using lead pencil - subsequently coloured by Isabelle Merlet in the classic edition of the album - convey to the viewer just how much work has gone into each of Tanquerelle's original plates. Where the narrative is interrupted by scenes from an earlier chronology (and no colour is added), we get an even better idea of the artist's careful attention to detail. A selection of plates and a series of drawings will be available to view at this remarkable exhibition hosted by our Paris gallery at rue Chapon.

EXHIBITION
From Friday 20 June 2025
to Saturday 19 June 2025

MEETING
Saturday 21 June 2025
from 04:00 p.m to 07:00 p.m

PARIS | Chapon - 19
19 rue Chapon 75003 Paris
Wednesday > Friday 13:30 a.m - 07:00 p.m
Saturday 12:00 a.m - 07:00 p.m