As was common for Renaissance artists, Benvenuto Cellini’s skills and ambition allowed him to specialize in different fields. Better known as a goldsmith, he was also a sculptor of progressively colossal works and an author of treatises, poems, and a famous autobiography meant to celebrate his life and work for posterity. The Florentine artist was also one of the most picturesque figures of the Italian Renaissance, haunting brothels and living on the border of illegality. Known to be hot-tempered, he was often involved in brawls and he killed and wounded rivals and enemies – apparently without remorse – on several occasions during his lifetime.
Cellini was born in Florence in 1500 to Giovanni – a musician and builder of musical instruments – and Elisabetta Granacci. His father
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Citation: Lazzari, Laura. "Benvenuto Cellini". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 January 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=804, accessed 25 November 2024.]
