Nikolay Rutkovsky was a Russian-Soviet artist and educator. He worked as a painter, graphic artist, and theatrical designer. Rutkovsky was a member of the Leningrad Union of Artists and represented the Leningrad School of Painting.

He was born on September 30, 1892, in Shoenberg, Kurland Governorate (now Skaidstkalne, Latvia). Rutkovsky studied at the Drawing School of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts and later at the Higher Art School at the Imperial Academy of Arts. He graduated in 1922.

Rutkovsky worked as an artist for various organizations and participated in exhibitions, including the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia. In 1936, he became a professor and head of the monumental workshop at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad. During the 1930s, he was involved in theatrical design and created sketches for stage sets and costumes. Rutkovsky also painted murals and worked on historical and revolutionary themes. One of his notable works is "Joseph Stalin at Sergei Kirov's Coffin" (1934).

During World War II and the Leningrad Blockade, Rutkovsky remained in Leningrad. He participated in the Military-Political Administration, created posters, and painted artworks reflecting the war. He received medals for his contributions. After the war, he focused on easel painting. His works depicted various subjects, including landscapes, portraits, and scenes from daily life. He continued to exhibit his paintings and gained recognition for his artistic achievements.