Nicolas Tarkhoff (Nikolay Tarkhov), born into a wealthy merchant family in Moscow, initially pursued a career on the Brest Railway before discovering his passion for art. Although he didn't pass the exams at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (MUZhVZ), he began studying art on his own and later worked in Konstantin Korovin's workshop. In 1898, he embarked on a trip to Paris with fellow artists and decided to permanently settle there in 1899.

In Paris, Nicolas Tarkhoff gained fame for his paintings, which rivaled the works of prominent French artists. He painted urban and rural landscapes, still lifes, and scenes of rural life. Tarkhoff's reputation grew, and he became a regular exhibitor at prestigious Salons, including the Salon of Independents and the Autumn Salon.

In 1904, Nicolas Tarkhoff married Marie-Yvonne Deiteil, a Frenchwoman, and had three children. Despite living abroad, he maintained close connections with Russia, participating in exhibitions and maintaining contacts with Russian artists and art societies. However, in the second half of the 1910s, Nicolas Tarkhoff's fame began to decline, partly due to changing artistic tastes in France and his reluctance to work with art dealers. Nevertheless, he continued to exhibit extensively, showcasing his works in various solo exhibitions and group shows.