Nikolay Makovsky, a Russian painter, was the son of Yegor Ivanovich Makovsky, a prominent accountant, amateur artist, and one of the founders of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. Nikolay received his early education at the Moscow Palace Architecture School and studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1859 to 1866.

In 1865, Nikolay Makovsky was recognized for his talent and awarded a silver medal for his work on a small stone church accommodating 150 parishioners. After graduating, he obtained the title of "Free Artist," granting him the right to work on construction projects. However, he soon relinquished his position as an architect's assistant at the Ministry of the Imperial Court to fully devote himself to painting.

In 1870, Makovsky became one of the founding members of the "Association of Travelling Art Exhibitions" (Peredvizhniki), although his active participation began in 1875. In 1872, he received the esteemed designation of "Artist Second-Degree" from the Academy.

Makovsky embarked on travels with his brother Konstantin, including a tour of Egypt from 1873 to 1874. He subsequently explored various regions of Russia and Ukraine extensively. Later, he spent several months in the Russian art colony in Paris, collaborating with Alexey Bogolyubov. From then on, his paintings were primarily displayed in traveling exhibitions.