Nevertheless, "A Musical Party" and other banquet scenes, in its contrasting gloom, gain a sense of depth that other painters do not achieve with similar depictions. After the end of his apprenticeship in 1619, Tournier became part of a community of French artists in Rome, who perpetuated the Caravaggesque movement. Most influential of Tournier's work during this time was Valentin de Boulogne (Musee des Augustins). Both being French and in Rome, the artists became good friends. While Tournier was not a pupil of Boulogne's, the latter nonetheless influenced him significantly. It is perhaps also as a result of Boulogne's influence that Tournier painted generally upbeat, secular scenes such as "A Musical Party." Not even this artist's jovial influence could destroy the inherent melancholy of Tournier's work. Whereas Boulogne's figures were depicted with an edgy tension, Tournier's were consistently quiet, as mentioned above, almost suspended in time. The two style were therefore vastly different, although mutually influential.

Tournier's work during his Roman residence was abundant and ambitious. His quiet figures were developed in Tournier's non-conforming personal and poetic style, while he struggled with dynamic action scenes. Among his favorite religious scenes from his later work was the Denial of Saint Peter. Many however feel that the festive scenes he painted during his Roman period are among his most beautiful. The reason for this, as mentioned above, is the apparently absurd contrast between the quiet, solemn atmosphere, the still figures, and the lighthearted themes of his depictions. These speak...

In addition to "A Musical Party," Tournier's "Banquet Scene" and "The Flute-Player" depict such dualistic themes.
Tournier moved to Carcassonne during 1627, and resided in Toulouse from 1632. It is during these years that his art began to depict mainly religious scenes. Examples of these are displayed in the Louvre and the Musee des Augustins. One of his remarkable works during this time is the "Battle of Constantine," which is influenced by Piero della Francesca's battle scenes at Arezzo. In all his paintings during his lifetime, Tournier displayed a grace and style that makes him one of the most notable painters during his time and in the Caravaggesque tradition.

Not much is known about Tournier's life, apart from what his paintings depict about him. His birth and death dates are for example obscured by the mists of time, and even some of his paintings are only recently rightfully attributed to him. After a productive life a painter, Tournier died in Toulouse approximately during the year 1639. He is most remembered for the unusual atmosphere and depiction of character in his paintings.

Sources

Artnet. "Artist's Biographies: Nicolas Tournier." 2007. http://www.artnet.com/library/08/0858/T085862.asp

Encyclopaedia Britannica. "French culture in the 17th century." 2007. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-40368/France

Musee des Augustins. "Nicolas Tournier." 2007. http://www.augustins.org/en/exposition/trn/formation/accueil.htm