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Nikita Lobanov-RostovskyThe son of immigrants, US citizen, geologist, banker and prominent collector
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Bulgaria |
Content:
- Nikita Dmitrievich Lobanov-Rostovsky
- Education and Career
- Art Collector
- Collection Highlights
- Museum Donations and Sales
- Return of Collection
- Philanthropy and Honors
- Family
Nikita Dmitrievich Lobanov-Rostovsky
Birth and ChildhoodNikita Dmitrievich Lobanov-Rostovsky was born in Bulgaria in 1934, the son of Russian émigrés, Dmitry Ivanovich Lobanov-Rostovsky and Irina Vasilievna (née Vyrubova). His grandfather, Ivan Nikolaevich, a prominent member of the Russian Assembly, fled Soviet Russia with his sons in 1919.
Growing up in Bulgaria, young Nikita faced many hardships. In 1948, his father was abducted by Bulgarian secret police and later executed. To avoid rickets, he took up swimming and became the Bulgarian youth champion at the age of 17.
Education and Career
In 1953, Nikita and his mother obtained permission to leave Bulgaria and settled in Paris. He continued his education in England, where he studied geology at Oxford University and banking at New York University.
After graduating from Oxford in 1958, Lobanov-Rostovsky embarked on a successful career in finance. He worked at several major banks, including Banque Loub Rhodes, Chemical Bank, Bache & Co, Wells Fargo Bank, and International Resources and Finance Bank.
Art Collector
In the midst of his banking career, Lobanov-Rostovsky developed a lifelong passion for collecting Russian theatrical and decorative arts. Inspired by an exhibition in London in 1956, he began amassing a vast collection of works by notable Russian artists.
His dedication to preserving Russian art led him to establish close relationships with Russian artists in exile. He frequently visited the Soviet Union from 1974 onwards, fostering connections with government officials and collecting priceless works.
Collection Highlights
Lobanov-Rostovsky's collection, considered the largest private collection of Russian theatrical and decorative arts in the world, encompasses over 1,100 works by approximately 177 artists. It includes masterpieces by renowned artists such as Léon Bakst, Alexandre Benois, Natalia Goncharova, and Mikhail Larionov.
The collection has been exhibited extensively throughout the world, including in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and Japan. It has played a pivotal role in preserving and showcasing the artistic heritage of Russian culture.
Museum Donations and Sales
In 1987, Lobanov-Rostovsky gifted 80 works from his collection to the Museum of Personal Collections in Moscow. In 2008, he donated two significant works to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow.
In 2008, a significant portion of the collection (810 graphic sheets) was sold to the Konstantinovsky Charitable Foundation for $16 million. These works are currently housed at the St. Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music Arts on temporary deposit.
Return of Collection
In 2013, the remaining portion of the collection was officially acquired by the St. Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music Arts. This reunited the majority of the collection in one location.
Philanthropy and Honors
Lobanov-Rostovsky has made numerous contributions to Russian cultural institutions. He donated his personal library and part of his photo archive to the House of Russian Abroad in Moscow. He has also been awarded numerous honors, including the Russian Medal of Friendship and the Ludwig Nobel Prize.
In 2010, Lobanov-Rostovsky was granted Russian citizenship for his exceptional contributions to the preservation of Russian art and culture.
Family
Lobanov-Rostovsky was married twice. His first wife, Nina Georges-Picot, was the daughter of the French ambassador to the UN. They divorced in 2000. His second wife, June Marsham-Townzend, is a British citizen and a descendant of Lord Sydney.
