Buste de Placide Massey

The Buste de Placide Massey is a marble sculpture in Jardin Massey, a public garden in Tarbes. The bust sits on a pedestal decorated with plant motifs and depicts a figure holding a flower.

Sculptor Henri Nelli created this marble bust in 1882 as a memorial to honor a prominent garden expert of the 19th century. The work reflects the artist's effort to celebrate someone who shaped horticultural practice during his career.

The monument stands near the School of Art and Ceramics, representing the connection between botanical science and artistic expression in Tarbes.

The bust is located near the southwest entrance of the public Jardin Massey and is easily accessible to visitors. You can encounter it during a walk through the garden, which sits in central Tarbes.

Despite its name, the face portrayed is not actually that of the person being honored. The sculptor accidentally used an incorrect death mask as his reference when carving the facial features.

Location: Tarbes

Inception: 1882

Creator: Henri Nelli

Made from material: marble

GPS coordinates: 43.23633,0.07462

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:26