Cellini Benvenuto - a famous Florentine sculptor, representative of mannerism, jeweler, author of several books. The most famous of them were Benvenuto's Life and two treatises: On the Art of Sculpture and On Jewelry. In this article, you will be presented with a brief biography of the Italian.
Childhood
Cellini Benvenuto was born in 1500 in Florence. Since 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 playing music and was disgusted by it, although he learned to sing well on notes and play the flute. At the age of 13, the future sculptor became interested in jewelry. Benvenuto convinced his parents to send him to study in goldsmiths Bandini master. In subsequent years, young Cellini traveled a lot in Italy, learning from the best jewelers. Only in 1518 did he return to Florence.
Jewelcrafting
In five years of study, Cellini Benvenuto became a skilled craftsman. At first he worked in his hometown, 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. Moreover, in terms of quality of work, he exceeded many eminent jewelers who profited from his work. This forced the young man to go home.
Own workshop
Cellini Benvenuto in a very short time gained many customers. 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 for which he opened 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 recognized his name. Pope Clement VII himself ordered several things from Cellini. Benvenuto's creative work was interspersed with quarrels, fights and scandals. Vindictiveness, suspiciousness, and quick temper have repeatedly forced the young man to prove his own innocence with the help of a dagger.
Change of profession
Fight temperament helped Cellini in 1527. It was at this time that Rome was besieged by the German-Spanish army. And Benvenuto turned from a jeweler into a master artilleryman. For a month, he helped soldiers defend dad in the besieged castle of St. Angel. This continued until Clement signed a surrender agreement. The jeweler was generously rewarded for his heroism.
Dissolute life and prison
Benvenuto Cellini, whose work became known outside of Italy, flourished in creative activity, but still led a dissolute life, making enemies. Having no lady of heart, the sculptor was mired in promiscuous sexual intercourse. As a result, he picked up a "French disease", which almost deprived the master of vision. In 1537, during a trip to Florence, he was tormented by terrible fever. But the most powerful blow of fate was the arrest. Cellini was accused of stealing precious stones and gold from a papal fortress during its defense ten years ago. Despite the fact that all suspicions were removed, the jeweler spent three 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 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 intrigue 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 goods. 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 a wax, and then a plaster model of a full-length sculpture. When the time came for casting Perseus from bronze, the fever fell over the master. Benvenuto was so bad that he began to prepare for death. But when Cellini found out about the mistakes of apprentices, who almost ruined the statue, he saved the cast in a feverish state and was soon miraculously healed.
Last job
The last work of the sculptor that has come down to us is “The Crucified Christ”. Many art historians consider her the most perfect creation of the master. Originally 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 Escorial in the church of St. Lawrence.
