Born in the city of Yelets. In 1922 he moved to Moscow.
On the opening day of the Central House of the Soviet Army on March 23, 1928 N.And. Moskalev was appointed his principal painter, and he worked in this position for 35 years.
Widely known to Nikolai Ivanovich came during the great Patriotic war, when he made dozens of sketches for medals. In the 30 years he did drawings of badges: "excellence in the red army", "a member of the fighting at lake Hassan", "Party sortcollection CDKA", and in the fall of 1941, when our cities one after the other is occupied by the Nazis and had fierce battles for Moscow, Nikolay Ivanovich "to soothe the soul" began to make a sketch of the medal "For defense of Moscow". Seeing the sketches of medals, an artist friend exclaimed, "What are you doing, Nikolai? Why give medals when you leave the city?!" What I heard: "you Know, leave the city different"... N.And.Moskalev no doubt that the heart of Russia Moscow will not give the people the enemy, and wanted to be involved in great historical events, he knew that "a new well-earned battle rewards will Shine on the chest of our soldiers." But the development of the new awards were launched by the government in June 1942. It was brought 7 artists, Moskalev including.
Only in 1942 N. And. Moskalev has created drawings to 3 orders of Kutuzov 3 degrees of Glory 3rd degree, Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3 degrees, nine medals for the defense of cities - Moscow, Leningrad, Sevastopol, Odessa, Stalingrad, Caucasus, the "Partisan of the Patriotic war", "For our Soviet Motherland", "For faultless service in Armed forces of the USSR" of 3 degrees, to premium signs: "Partisan Patriotic war", "the 20th anniversary of the red banner. A. V. Alexandrov ensemble of song and dance of the Soviet Army." The artist also identified the colors of the ribbons of orders and medals of the USSR.
Time is the order of Kutuzov was limited to 1 month. However, Moskalev watched a lot of historical literature has not found a suitable profile portrait of the General, then began the search of the composition of the order, the clarity of the picture, thematic solidity. During the month it was made 20 sketches. So by chance was approved, it was his job.
The award of Glory Nikolay Ivanovich creates for 5 days. He took the original sketch of the medal "For defense of Moscow". The symbol of the military glory of our time, of course, was the star. In the center of the star of the Kremlin tower. And red enamel it is written, "Glory." The order is ready. Left to figure out the ribbons - not one went to bright star. And I remembered the 16-th year. The dusty road under the Dace, and it walks leaning on a stick, soldier. On the tunic, whitish from the sun and sweat, rocking on colorful ribbon... "George". Behold the glory, ancient, soldier! Just need to resurrect the black ribbon with orange stripes connecting "the color powder and the color of fire".
For the successful fulfillment of tasks of the government in 1943, Nikolai Ivanovich was awarded the order of red banner of Labor.
In the collections of the Yelets city Museum are stored the photocopies of the drawings to the above awards, the originals are in the Museum of the Soviet Army.
In the genre of the poster N.And. Moskalev worked all my life since the civil war.
During the second world war it posters were satirical thrust: "Death to the fascist snake", "Away from Moscow, the fascist reptile!", "At Moscow von Bock earned his side!". Posters calling the Soviet people to fight against fascism, to defend the homeland, concrete, full of stern simplicity.
