Portrait of Nicolas FouquetCharles Le Brun

Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances under King Louis XIV, is portrayed by Charles Le Brun (c.1656–1661) at the height of his influence. Born into wealth, Fouquet rose quickly, symbolized by his emblematic squirrel and motto ’Quo non ascendet’ (What heights will he not scale). Despite his intelligence and loyalty, he was accused of peculation and lèse-majesté, resulting in his imprisonment from 1661 until his death in 1680.