The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

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"Men like Benvenuto, unique in their profession, need not be subject to the law." --Pope Paul III on learning that Cellini had murdered a fellow artist. Benvenuto Cellini was a celebrated figure in Renaissance Florence, known for his remarkable sculpting and goldsmithing, including the iconic salt-cellar for the King of France and the statue of Perseus with Medusa's head. His life was as dynamic as his art; he participated in the Sack of Rome in 1527 and was known for his fiery temperament and audacious behavior, engaging in acts such as brawling, theft, and even murder. His patrons included popes, kings, and the Medici family. Cellini's autobiography offers a captivating glimpse into sixteenth-century Italy and France, written with the flair of a novel. This new translation, based on the latest critical edition, preserves the original's vibrancy and focuses on the pivotal event of casting the statue of Perseus. The series has provided a diverse range of literature for over a century, reflecting a commitment to scholarship with accurate texts, expert introductions, extensive notes for clarification, and updated bibliographies for further study.