当時はフランスとは別の国だったロレーヌ公国のヴィック＝シュル＝セイユに生まれ、リュネヴィルの町で活躍しました。ろうそく1本の光にうかぶ静かな人物を描いた夜の絵と、いかさまトランプなど人間のずるさを描いた昼の絵で知られます。国王ルイ13世にも作品が好まれ、「国王付き画家」の称号を受けました。死後は名前がすっかり忘れられていました。
La Tour was born in Vic-sur-Seille in the Duchy of Lorraine, which was then separate from France. He worked in the town of Lunéville. He is known for quiet night scenes lit by a single candle, and for daytime scenes of human trickery, such as card cheats. King Louis XIII liked his work, and he received the title of 'Painter to the King'. After his death, his name was completely forgotten.
