Zhittiepis Benvenuto, sina maestro Dzhovanni Chellini, florentintsia, napisanii nim samim u Florentsiyi
Benvenuto Cellini (11/3/1500-2/13/1571) was an Italian goldsmith, sculptor, painter, soldier & musician. He was one of the most important Mannerist artists. His autobiography was started in 1558 & ended abruptly just before his last trip to Pisa around the year 1563 when he was about 63 years old. The memoirs give a detailed account of his singular career, as well as his loves, hatreds, passions & delights, written in an energetic, direct & racy style. They show a great self-regard & self-assertion, sometimes running into extravagances which are impossible to credit. He even writes in a complacent way of how he contemplated his murders before carrying them out. The autobiography has been translated into English by Thomas Roscoe, by John Addington Symonds & by Anne Macdonell. It's been considered & published as a classic, & commonly regarded as one of the most colourful autobiographies (certainly the most important autobiography from the Renaissance). Cellini also wrote treatises on the goldsmith's art, on sculpture & on design.