Nikolai was born on February 28, 1872, in the village of Beketovo, Voronezh province, in the family of an estate manager. From 1892 to 1901, he studied at the Higher Art School of the Imperial Academy of Arts, starting in 1896 under I.E. Repin. In 1911, Petrov presented his works at an international exhibition in Rome, and in 1916 he was awarded the title of academician of painting.

In the 1911 issue of the magazine "Niva," his work "Balcony" is described as "a delightful landscape, full of freshness and a special charming family intimacy." In the 39th issue of 1913, his creativity is noted: "In his paintings, the artist N. Petrov recreates for us the ancient landowner's gentry life, familiar to our generation from Goncharov's novels. In the painting 'The Old Landlord,' there is something typically Goncharov: before us is Oblomov himself, dozing on the sofa with his unchanging pipe...".

Nikolai Filippovich Petrov initially lived in St. Petersburg but moved to Penza in 1910. From 1910 to 1918, he was the director of the Penza Art School and then taught there until 1936.

In 1936, the artist returned to Leningrad, where he took the position of deputy director of the All-Russian Academy of Arts. From 1937 to 1939, he headed the painting department. Nikolai Filippovich Petrov passed away on December 9, 1941, in besieged Leningrad.