Cellini Benvenuto is a famous Florentine sculptor, representative of mannerism, jeweler, author of several books. The most famous of them were "The Life of Benvenuto" and two treatises: "On the Art of Sculpture" and "On Jewelery". In this article, you will be presented with a brief biography of the Italian.
Childhood
Cellini Benvenuto was born in 1500 in Florence. From childhood, the boy began to show the ability to music. The father tried in every possible way to develop them with Benvenuto, hoping that his son would perfectly master this profession. But little Cellini himself did not like music lessons and was disgusted with it, although he learned to sing well from notes and play the flute. At the age of 13, the future sculptor developed an interest in jewelry. Benvenuto convinced his parents to send him to study with the goldsmith Bandini. In subsequent years, the young Cellini traveled extensively in Italy, learning from the best jewelers. Only in 1518 did he return to Florence.
Jewellery
Five years of Cellini's training, Benvenuto became skilledmaster. At first he worked in his native city, but soon went to Rome. The work of an apprentice was not very pleasing to Benvenuto, because a third of the earnings had to be given to the owner. In addition, in terms of the quality of work, he surpassed many eminent jewelers who profited from his work. This forced the young man to go home.
Own workshop
Cellini Benvenuto found many customers in a very short time. But some events of his hectic life prevented the jeweler from working calmly. The Council of Eight condemned Benvenuto for a serious fight. For this reason, the young man had to flee the city, disguised as a monk. But this time, Cellini had the funds to open his workshop in the capital of Italy. The young man made vases of silver and gold for the nobility, minted medals for hats and set precious stones. In addition, Benvenuto mastered the manufacture of seals and the art of enamel. All Rome knew his name. Pope Clement VII himself ordered several things from Cellini. The creative work of Benvenuto was interspersed with quarrels, fights and scandals. Vindictiveness, suspiciousness and irascibility more than once forced the young man to prove his own innocence with the help of a dagger.
Change of profession
Fighting temperament helped Cellini in 1527. It was at this time that Rome was besieged by the German-Spanish army. And Benvenuto went from jeweler to master gunner. For a month, he helped the soldiers defend the pope in the besieged castle of St. Angelo. This continued until Clement signedsurrender agreement. The jeweler was generously rewarded for his heroism.
Dissipated life and prison
Benvenuto Cellini, whose work became known outside of Italy, flourished in creative activity, but still led a dissolute life, making enemies. Without a lady of the heart, the sculptor is mired in promiscuity. As a result, he picked up the "French disease", which almost deprived the master of his sight. In 1537, during a trip to Florence, he was tormented by a terrible fever. But the most severe blow of fate was the arrest. Cellini was accused of stealing precious stones and gold from the papal fortress during its defense ten years ago. Despite the fact that all suspicions were cleared, the jeweler spent three whole years in prison.
Paris
In 1540, Benvenuto Cellini, whose sculptures are now known all over the world, came to Paris and got a job at the court. The king was very pleased with the things made by the master. He especially liked the silver figure of Jupiter, which was used as a huge candlestick. But five years later, Cellini was forced to leave the French court due to intrigues and open disregard for his talent.
Sculptures
In subsequent years, Benvenuto was engaged in the processing of marble ("Venus and Cupid", "Narcissus", "Apollo with Hyacinth", "Ganymede") and the manufacture of various luxury items. But his favorite sculpture, on which he worked every day, was Perseus with the Head of Medusa. The master did it for eight years. Cellini first created wax, andthen a full-length plaster model of the sculpture. When the time came to cast "Perseus" from bronze, the master fell down with a fever. Benvenuto was so bad that he began to prepare for death. But when Cellini found out about the mistakes of the apprentices, who almost ruined the statue, he saved the casting in a feverish state and soon miraculously recovered.
Last work
The last work of the sculptor that has come down to us is “The Crucified Christ”. Many art historians consider it the most perfect creation of the master. Initially carved from white marble, the figure of Christ (life-size), later crucified on a black cross, was intended for the tomb of Cellini himself. But later it was bought by the Duke of Medici and presented to Philip II. She still stands in the Escorial in the church of St. Lawrence.
Recent years
The sculptor wrote his autobiography "The Life of Benvenuto" while in a deep depression. The pages of the publication are full of his complaints and complaints about misunderstanding, as well as the humiliation of dignity and talent. The master devoted a separate chapter to the greed of the Medici. The duke did not fully pay for the statue of Perseus made for him. Benvenuto Cellini only forgot to inform readers about the monasticism he accepted in 1558. After a couple of years, he cut his hair. At the age of 60, the sculptor decided to fulfill his forgotten oath - Cellini married Mona Pierre, with whom he had eight children. Despite the frivolity in money matters, Benvenuto managed to support his large family. Besides this, hesupported with money two illegitimate offspring and a widowed sister with her five daughters.
The life of Benvenuto Cellini, full of tireless work, exploits and scandals, ended in 1571.
