Tourgueneff was born into a family originally from Russia, the fourth child and second son of Nicolas Turgenev (1789–1871) and his wife Clara Viaris who was from Lesegno.

His father, in his effort to avoid political and religious persecution in Russia, emigrated with his family to France.

Also attributed to him, however, are some equestrian figures of horses and riders, mostly portraying the military of Tourgueneff's own time or of the First Empire.

He lived in a mansion inherited from his parents at 97 rue de Lille in Paris and also had his workshop in the Vert-Bois château, in the town of Rueil-Malmaison, where he stayed most often.

During his lifetime he received the visit of writers, artists, painters and designers such as Jean-Louis Forain, Roger Joseph Jourdain, Ernest Ange Duez and the journalist Gaul Miguel Zamacoïs.