Benvenuto Cellini

Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) was an Italian sculptor, goldsmith, and writer of the Renaissance period. He was born in Florence and received his early training as a goldsmith under his father. Later, he moved to Rome, where he worked on numerous commissions for popes and wealthy patrons. His most famous work is the bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa, which stands in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Cellini was also known for his exquisite gold and silverwork, including a salt cellar made for Francis I of France. He wrote an autobiography, "The Life of Benvenuto Cellini," which is a classic of Italian literature and provides a vivid account of his life and times, including his involvement in duels, brawls, and other scandals. Cellini's works are considered among the finest examples of Mannerist sculpture.