Bernard Verlhac: Versatile and prolific caricaturist who was a thorn in the side of Nicolas Sarkozy
In 2011 he published Cinq Ans Sous Sarkozy (Five Years Under Sarkozy), an anthology of his work for a host of publications
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Drawing under the pen name Tignous, Bernard Verlhac was a versatile and prolific caricaturist and illustrator, and a thorn in the side of the former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
In 2011 he published Cinq Ans Sous Sarkozy (Five Years Under Sarkozy), an anthology of his work for a host of publications, including the weekly news magazine Marianne.
Born in 1957, the Parisian was a natural follower in the footsteps of Cabu and Wolinski, attacking the evils of capitalism in books such as Tas De Riches (A Bunch of Rich People), and he also illustrated Corvée de Bois (Go and Fetch Some Wood), a Didier Daeninckx book tackling the taboo subject of the behaviour of the French army during the war in Algeria.
"A caricature ... is the hardest thing to get right," he said. "You have to put everything into a single image." He drew not only for Charlie Hebdo but for Télérama and comics like L'Echo des Savanes and Fluide Glacial, and like his Charlie Hebdo colleagues he continued the Gallic tradition of caricaturing politicians live on television.
In recent years the slight desperation palpable in his caustic sense of humour appeared to match the uncertain mood of the French nation. "My work never seems to be done," he said.
Born 1957; died Paris 7 January 2015.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments