Cellini Benvenuto is a talented Italian sculptor

Cellini Benvenuto - a famous Florentine sculptor, a representative of Mannerism, a jeweler, the author of several books. The most famous of them were The Life of Benvenuto 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 ability for music. His father tried in every possible way to develop them from Benvenuto, hoping that his son would master this profession in perfection. But the little Cellini himself did not like music and felt disgust for him, although he had learned to sing well and play the flute. At the age of 13, the future sculptor had an interest in jewelry. Benvenuto persuaded his parents to send him for training to goldsmith Bandini. In the following years, young Cellini traveled a lot in Italy, studying with the best jewelers. Only in 1518 he returned to Florence.

Jewelcrafting

During the five years of Cellini's training, Benvenuto became a master craftsman. At first he worked in his hometown, but soon went to Rome. The work of the apprentice was not very happy Benvenuto, because a third of the earnings had to be given to the owner. In addition to the quality of the work, he surpassed 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 got many customers. But quietly working the jeweler was hampered by some events of his restless life. 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 means to which he opened his workshop in the Italian capital. A young man made vases of silver and gold for the nobility, minted medals for hats and riddled precious stones. In addition, Benvenuto mastered the manufacture of seals and the art of enamel. The whole of Rome recognized 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 quick temper have often made a young man prove his own rightness 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 turned from a jeweler into a master artilleryman. Within a month, he helped the soldiers protect the pope in the besieged castle of St. Angela. This continued until Clement signed a treaty of surrender. For the heroism shown, the jeweler was generously rewarded.

Dissolute life and prison

Benvenuto Cellini, whose work became known outside Italy, flourished in creative activity, but still led a dissolute life, making enemies. Without a lady of heart, the sculptor is mired in promiscuity. As a result, he picked up the "French disease", which almost did not deprive the master of vision. In 1537, during a trip to Florence, he was tormented by a terrible fever. But the most powerful blow of fate was the arrest. Cellini was accused of abducting precious stones and gold from the papal fortress during her defense ten years ago. Despite the fact that all suspicions were dropped, the jeweler spent three years in prison.

Paris

In 1540, Benvenuto Cellini, whose sculptures are 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 after five years, Cellini was forced to leave the French court because of intrigues and open disdain 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 most favorite sculpture, on which he worked every day, was "Perseus with the head of Medusa". The master did it for eight years. At first Cellini created a wax, and then a plaster model of sculpture in full growth. When the time came for casting "Perseus" from bronze, the master dumped a fever. Benvenuto was so bad that he began to prepare for death. But when Cellini learned about the mistakes of apprentices, who almost ruined the statue, he saved the casting in a fevered state and soon he miraculously healed.

The last work

The last surviving work of the sculptor is "Crucified Christ". Many art critics consider it the most perfect creation of the master. Initially carved out of white marble, the figure of Christ (life-sized), crucified later on the 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. It still stands in the Escorial in the church of St. Lawrence.

Last years

His autobiography "Life of Benvenuto", the sculptor wrote, in deep depression. The pages of the publication are full of his complaints and complaints about misunderstanding, as well as humiliation of virtues and talent. The master was dedicated to the greed of the Medici as a separate chapter. The Duke did not pay to the end for the statue "Perseus" made for him. Benvenuto Cellini only forgot to inform readers about the monasticism he accepted in 1558. After a couple of years he was cut. At the age of 60, the sculptor decided to fulfill his forgotten oath - Cellini married Monet Pierre, from whom he had eight children. Despite the frivolity in money matters, Benvenuto managed to maintain his large family. In addition, he supported the money of two extramarital offspring and a widowed sister with her five daughters.

The life of Benvenuto Cellini, full of tireless labors, feats and scandals, was interrupted in 1571.