Nikolay Kharitonov was a painter, graphic artist, and set designer known for his diverse artistic talents. Born into a peasant family, Kharitonov completed his education at a rural school in the Yaroslavl province in 1892. He initially worked in a stationery store and a sign-making workshop in St. Petersburg. Around 1895, he made a significant change in his life by traveling to Valaam and becoming a novice in a monastery, where he honed his skills in icon painting.

In 1897, Kharitonov returned to St. Petersburg and began attending classes at the Drawing School of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, as well as studying in the private workshop. As a free listener, he pursued his artistic education at the Higher Art School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture at the Imperial Academy (1901-1909), studying under the guidance of Ilya Repin. In 1909, he was recognized as an artist for his painting "Icarus."

The artist also created portraits of members of the royal family. During World War I, he was mobilized and commissioned by the Trophy Commission to create portrait sketches of Russian army generals in 1916. In the same year, he produced a series of pencil sketches and two vivid portraits of Feodor Chaliapin.