Portrait of Samuel Bernard (1651-1739) comte de Coubert by Joseph Vivien., Joseph Vivien, 1699

Samuel bernard (1651-1739) french financier and banker to louis xiv is the creator of the french guinea company at the request of the king. He is declared by saint-simon to be the « most famous and richest banker in europe ». He was created comte de coubert in 1725 by louis xv. He is the natural father of louise guillaume de fontaine. Samuel bernard is represented three-quarters – as in most of the portraits made by vivien – his gaze is turned towards the viewer. His portrait is imbued with a certain authority in reference to his social status. The folds of the purple velvet mantle are shown with depth and detail. Object Type: painting. Date: 1699. Dimensions: height: 64 cm (25.1 in); width: 80 cm (31.4 in). Medium: pastel on paper. Collection: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. Samuel Bernard (1651-1739) comte de Coubert par Joseph Vivien (05A)