Nikolai Pavlovich Riabushinskii(also Ryabushinsky, Ryabushinskiy and Riabouchinsky)

First Husband of Fernanda Rocci, who was known for her beauty and being the second wife of millionaire Robert Wilson Goelet, Sr.

Nicolas Riabauchinsky gained a reputation as a multifaceted individual—rumored to be one of the Czar's diplomatic representatives, as well as an artist and writer. According to widespread accounts, he was hailed as one of the most versatile men the city had ever encountered.

Mr.Riabouchinsky belonged to one of the wealthiest "commercial" families in the picturesque Muscovite city and his bride, Fernanda Rocchi, whom he had met and married in Italy, had brought Moscow to its feet with her ravishing beauty.

For almost two years she was in New York without society catching so much as a glimpse of her great beauty. She and her husband dined and danced in the Broadway cafes, and, as the fortunes of war turned more and more against his native Russia, Riabouchinsky's funds ebbed away. The fine jewels his magnificent wife had worn in the early days of their stay on these shores disappeared. Then came Russia's revolution and the meager funds Riabouchinsky was receiving from his government ceased, leaving him and his wife practically penniless.

Fortunes of war cast shadows into Gotham

Russia was at war and it was understood Riabouchinsky was in this country as a purchasing agent for the Russian Government.

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Nikolai Riabushinskii, was a prominent supporter of art and literature in Russia and Western Europe. He notably founded and sponsored The Golden Fleece, a renowned Symbolist journal, from 1906 to 1909.Born into wealth and raised among a large family, Riabushinskii's interests diverged from his siblings', focusing more on the arts. Despite personal controversies, including financial troubles and multiple marriages, his passion for collecting art remained consistent.

His collection encompassed a wide array of modern and old master paintings, including works by renowned artists like Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larianov.In 1905, Riabushinskii established The Golden Fleece, a prestigious art and literature journal. Initially showcasing Russian Symbolism, it later embraced the avantgarde, featuring works by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Henri Matisse.Riabushinskii's influence extended beyond publishing. He organized salons and exhibitions, promoting both Russian and French art, including introducing the works of Braque, Gleizes, and Matisse to Russia.Despite financial setbacks, Riabushinskii continued his artistic endeavors, eventually settling in France, where he ran an antique store and gallery. In his final years, he sustained himself through portrait drawing, art lessons, and restoration work.Nikolai Riabushinskii's legacy as a patron of the arts endures, reflecting his enduring impact on the cultural landscape of his time.

Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/research-centers/leonard-a-lauder-research-center/research-resources/modern-art-index-project/riabushinskii-n