Jean Valette-Falgores, called Penot (Montauban 1710-after 1777)

Born in Montauban, the artist spent periods of study in Toulouse and Rome, where he admired works by the Bassano family, and later travelled to Savoie and on to Paris, where he was inspired by the paintings of Boucher, Watteau and Oudry. While in Paris Penot became friends with Jean le Rond d'Alembert and Voltaire. Having spent time in tapestry workshops thoughout his career, Penot later imported to the industry to his native city of Montauban.