Robert Nanteuil (1623–1678)
Portrait of Abbé Basile Fouquet, 1658
Engraving on laid paper, approx. 13 x 10 inches
Signed in plate beneath oval frame.

Abbé Basile Fouquet (1622–1680), the seventh son of François IV Fouquet and brother of Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV, lived a life steeped in intrigue. Though he held abbeys in name, he was “abbé” only for the income, having little inclination toward religion. Instead, he became an agent of Cardinal Mazarin, heading a clandestine political police said to number fifty men. Contemporary accounts describe him as a “fort mauvais sujet” (a thoroughly bad character), embroiled in plots and rumored even to have suggested assassinations. His reputation as a shadowy figure of espionage and manipulation made him infamous in the turbulent politics of 17th‑century France.

A masterful Baroque portrait by Robert Nanteuil, court engraver to Louis XIV. This depiction of Abbé Basile Fouquet—brother to the infamous minister Nicolas Fouquet—embodies the elegance and precision of 17th-century French printmaking. The oval composition, cross insignia, and decorative coat of arms reflect Fouquet’s ecclesiastical stature and noble lineage.

This impression aligns with known examples held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Blanton Museum. While its exact state or edition remains unverified, the engraving retains its visual and historical resonance.

Framed in carved wood with gilt inner molding. A compelling artifact of royal France’s visual culture.