Son of Noel Coypel and half-brother of Antoine, who was almost thirty years older than him, Noel Nicolas is often considered by art historians as the most talented member of the Coypel family. He learned the basics of art from his father. He was awarded several prizes by the Royal Academy. He was recognised on 31 December 1716 and in 1720, during his brother's rectorship, he received the prize with Neptune abducting the nymph Amymone (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes) as his winning work. The work was acclaimed and contributed greatly to his fame.

He also created a painting to commemorate the Minims of the Place Royale which is considered one of his best. It depicts St. Francis of Paola walking along the ocean with his companions, wearing a cape in place of an apron. At the same time, he produced two drawings for the hidden chapels of the Sorbonne. These paintings represent Saints Anthony and Hilary.

The Academy appoints him professor in 1733. Noel Nicolas Coypel died at the beginning of the following year, when he was only forty-three years old, following a domestic accident.