Nicolas Tournier settled in Languedoc where he found a community of artists originating .from his native Franche-Comté. Baptismal certificates prove that the painter was the godfather to the children of his artist friends. He was particularly close to the Isaac and Jean Marchant brothers, whose paintings housed in the Aude churches demonstrate that they had not been exposed to the new trends from Rome.
He was also close to the Toulouse sculptor Pierre Affre, in whose house he finally passed away. His official patron was Bernard de Reich, seigneur de Pennautier and treasurer of Languedoc. Nicolas Tournier completed the portrait of this illustrious personage who was present at the writing of the artist's will.
The Concert at the Louvre could also be construed as a portrayal of a scene at the patron's house. Bernard de Reich had, at one time, supported the revolt of Henri de Montmorency, Protestant governor of the region, against royal absolutism, before falling back into line.
The discovery of an Italian inscription citing Pennautier's name on the back of a canvas by Tournier perhaps means that the painter met his patron in Italy, a fact that would also explain his decision to settle in Languedoc. This is still only a hypothesis.
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