Nanteuil. Nicolas Fouquet
Engraved in 1661 from Nanteuil’s own design from life
“Of the three ministers to whom Louis had openly given his confidence, Lionne, Le Tellier, and Fouquet, the last named was the only one who possessed the qualities necessary for a prime minister.
“‘It was generally believed,’ says Madame de La Fayette, ‘that the Superintendent would be called upon to take the Government into his hands.’ There is no doubt whatever that Fouquet himself expected eventually to succeed Mazarin.” Arthur Hassall, Louis XIV.
Size of the original engraving, 13 × 10 inches
Nanteuil. Basile Fouquet
Engraved in 1658 from Nanteuil’s own drawing from life
Basile Fouquet, Abbé de Barbeaux and Rigny, Chancelier des Ordres du Roi, was the brother of Nicolas Fouquet, the famous Superintendent of Finance.
Size of the original engraving, 12¾ × 9¾ inches