"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 beloved in Renaissance Florence. A renowned
sculptor and goldsmith whose works include the famous salt-cellar made
for the King of France, and the statue of Perseus with the head of the
Medusa, Cellini's life was as vivid and enthralling as his creations. A
man of action as well as an artist, he took part in the Sack of Rome in
1527; he was temperamental, passionate, and conceited, capable of
committing criminal acts ranging from brawling and sodomy to theft and
murder. He numbered among his patrons popes and kings and members of the
Medici family, and his autobiography is a fascinating account of
sixteenth-century Italy and France written with all the verve of a
novel.
This new translation, which captures the freshness and vivacity of the
original, is based on the latest critical edition. It examines in detail
the central event in Cellini's narrative, the casting of the statue of
Perseus.
About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has
made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the
globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to
scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other
valuable features, including expert introductions by leading
authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date
bibliographies for further study, and much more.
