Nikolay Koshelev was a painter, graphic artist, and muralist who was born into a peasant family. He spent his childhood in Arzamas. From 1851 to 1853, he studied under the painter-craftsman Davydov in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1856, he moved to Kazan, where he briefly studied with the Italian artist Botelli. Koshelev primarily worked in the field of church painting, creating murals and religious images. In 1860, he arrived in St. Petersburg and joined the Imperial Academy of Arts. Initially, he studied as a freelance student and later became a permanent student in the class of historical painting. 

In the autumn of 1865, he traveled to Moscow upon the invitation of Ivan Kramskoy to complete the murals of the main dome of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In 1873, he was awarded the title of academician for his work in the temple, followed by the title of professor in 1878. In 1878, he embarked on a trip abroad, visiting Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Paris. From 1880 to 1881, he resided in Rome. He later returned to Russia in 1881 and lived alternately in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Koshelev was also involved in teaching, providing instruction in painting and drawing at the Stieglitz Central Technical Drawing School, as well as teaching a course on art history at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.