Vladimir Makovsky, born into an artistic family, emerged as a prominent painter in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His father, Egor Makovsky, played a significant role in founding the Moscow Art School. Vladimir, along with his brothers Nikolay and Konstantin, and sister Alexandra, all achieved fame as painters. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, completing his studies in 1869. The following year, he became one of the founding members of the Association of Travelling Art Exhibitions, solidifying his position as a leading artist through years of prolific work.

Makovsky's art was characterized by a blend of humor, irony, and satire. In the 1870s, his paintings focused on portraying scenes of small-town life. During the 1880s, a period known for Russian "democratic" painting, Makovsky created some of his most celebrated works. After the death of Vasili Perov, he became a professor at the Moscow Art School in 1882.  In 1894, Makovsky became the Rector of the Preparatory School of the Academy of Art. After the October Revolution in 1917, he played a role in transitioning realist traditions into the early stages of Socialist Realism.