L'orphelin

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A hundred and twelve years ago, Alphonse Terroir triumphed. A street and a college bearing his name continue to honor him in this country community. Born just a month after Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's death, Terroir grew up facing the church of Saint-Jacques in a house now replaced by a real estate complex. He attended school in the community, receiving an 8/10 on his drawing certificate, which seemed to predestine him for his future career as an industrial designer. With short hair and beard, he began his journey with conviction, fueled by ease and passion. Despite his parents' reluctance, he followed his artistic path due to his talent and tenacity. His journey was similar to a marathon, featuring contests, medals, round-robin tournaments, and bas-relief competitions. In 1902, he took courses at the prestigious Valenciennes Academies and Beaux-Arts in Paris. That same year, he won the First Grand Prix of Rome, which opened doors to public and private commissions, including some for the French Comedy. He spent four years at the Villa Medici in Rome before opening his studio in Paris. In 1922, Terroir was awarded the Legion of Honor. During World War I, he created two sculptures honoring Chateaubriand and Diderot, which are now displayed at the Pantheon in Paris. Alphonse Terroir is buried beside his parents under a statue he created: "The man before death gathers and prays." The town of Marly paid its first tribute by inaugurating a bust at the crossroads of Romainville during Oscar Carpentier's mayoral term. Some of his works are showcased in Valenciennes, including "L'Orphelin" in the garden of the Rhonelle, the monument to Abbe Delbecque on Avenue Dampierre opposite Sacré-Coeur Church, and the Renaissance Monument in front of Lycée Wallon.