Short answers, pulled from the story.
Historians estimate that Nicola Pisano was born around 1225 during the reign of Emperor Frederick II. This emperor ruled with an iron fist and a patronage system that encouraged artists to blend ancient Roman forms with Christian themes.
The massive marble structure rests upon seven columns sourced from ruins at Ostia and supports trefoil arches decorated with paired Prophets and Evangelists. Five white Carrara marble reliefs depict the Life of Christ including the Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Presentation in the Temple, Crucifixion, and Last Judgment.
Nicola Pisano worked on this project until November 1268 alongside his son Giovanni and assistants Arnolfo di Cambio and Lapo di Ricevuto. The front panel was executed partially by Nicola himself but mostly by his assistant Lapo di Ricevuto.
In July 1273 Nicola Pisano received an order from the Operai di San Jacopo to create an altar for Pistoia Cathedral. His final major commission arrived in 1277 for the relief panels atop the Fontana Maggiore fountain in Perugia.
Nicola Pisano created original figures through thorough study of antique prototypes while remaining attached to contemporary Gothic art found in Northern Europe. This dual influence allowed both styles to coexist for several generations before International Gothic briefly gained popularity in the Early 15th century.