Nikolai Ivanovich Layaschenko (1910-2000) was a Soviet and Russian painter, considered one of the leading representatives of the Leningrad School of Painting. After training at the Repin Institute under the guidance of masters such as Isaak Brodsky, his career was marked by his participation as a soldier in World War II. This experience deeply influenced his artistic output, which was rooted in Socialist Realism but enriched by a profound psychological and lyrical sensibility. His works range from portraits to genre scenes, from landscapes to still lifes, focusing on the depiction of everyday life and the dignity of his subjects, such as workers, soldiers, and intellectuals. A member of the Leningrad Union of Artists, he regularly exhibited in major national and international exhibitions. For his significant contribution to Russian art, he was awarded the prestigious title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.