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Who was Nicolas Fouquet?

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Jean de La Fontaine Jean de La Fontaine, oil painting by François De Troy; in the Bibliothèque Publique et Universitaire, Geneva

Nicolas Fouquet (1615–1680) was a prominent French finance minister during the early reign of Louis XIV. Serving as the surintendant des finances, he became exceptionally wealthy by acting as the King’s banker, often using irregular financial practices that were common for the era.1

Beyond his political role, Fouquet was a significant patron of the arts. In 1657, he became a benefactor to the poet Jean de La Fontaine, providing him with support that allowed the writer to focus on his literary work.2

Fouquet’s career ended abruptly following the death of his ally, Cardinal Mazarin. His rival, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, exposed irregularities in his accounts, leading to his arrest in 1661. Although public opinion favored him during his high-profile trial, he was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment by the King and died in the fortress of Pignerol.1