Yusupov Nikolay Borisovich, prince, statesman; from 1783 to 1789 was a messenger in Turin, then a senator; Emperor Paul I made him the Minister of State, and Alexander I – a member of the State Council. A brilliant grandee, one of the most enlightened people of his time, a passionate collector and philanthropist N. B. Yusupov, according to the memoirs of his contemporaries, was distinguished by “delicate taste and love for the fine arts.
The trustee of Catherine II and Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, Yusupov, through his consultants in Europe, acquired works of art by both contemporary artists and the outstanding creations of old masters. Personal acquaintance with many artists, among whom – J.-B. Dreams, G. Robert, P. Gonzago, J. Hackert, A. Gro, in many respects determined the artistic level of not only the imperial, but also the personal collection of N. B. Yusupov.