Nikolai Vasilyevich Dydykin, sculptor and restorer, honored artist of the RSFSR, was born on December 30, 1894, into a family of hereditary Palekh icon painters. In 1920, he studied at the agit-sculpture courses in Moscow under the guidance of M.G. Manizer and graduated from the Leningrad Art and Industry College. His professional and creative activities were closely linked to Leningrad. Dydykin's first recognized works include portraits of A.M. Gorky, S.M. Kirov, A.S. Pushkin, and the sculptural groups 'The Knitter of Sheaves' and 'Wounded Fighter.' In 1933, he became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR.

The sculptor's most famous work is the monument to A.S. Pushkin, located on the Moika Embankment. Dydykin was long interested in the image of Andrei Rublev and created several works on this theme. After World War II, he participated in the restoration of the palace ensemble of Peterhof. Every year, he would come to Palekh for a long summer vacation, where in his workshop he created sculptural portraits of many of the oldest artists of Palekh. The memorial museum of the sculptor was opened on December 12, 1978, and its exhibition features over a hundred works by Dydykin, including bas-relief portraits and busts of poets, writers, composers, scientists, cosmonauts, artists, as well as his relatives and close friends.