He studied under I. E. Repin in St. Petersburg Academy of arts from 1892 to 1901. His diploma painting – "Evening in the village". In 1896 he participated in exhibitions at the Academy of fine arts, "the New society of artists", "World of art", "Union of Russian artists". In 1911 he exhibited his works at the international exhibition in Rome. Author of genre paintings, interiors, landscapes, still-lifes, master of watercolor. Founding member of "the New society of artists".
Major works: "Quiet!" (1896, state Tretyakov gallery), "Twilight" (1898, Penza picture gallery), "On the balcony" (1909, Tretyakov gallery), "the Visit" (1912, state Russian Museum), "Three ladies" (1916, Penza picture gallery), the "Old Penza" (1926, Penza regional Museum) and others.
In the Penza art gallery is located 50 graphic works and paintings N.F. Petrov. Nikolay Filippovich from 1910 to 1918 he was Director of the Penza art school and taught there until 1936. From 1936 to 1941 Petrov headed the Department of painting at the Russian Academy of arts in Leningrad.
