Dimensions
110 x 186 x 18mm
Second edition
This work is the only autobiography of a Renaissance artist. It vividly describes the artist's life at the Papal Court in Rome and at the Royal Court of France, including an eye-witness account of the Sack of Rome in 1527. Cellini also gives us intimate details of his career as a Renaissance sculptor and goldsmith. He restored Etruscan sculptures in Florence, made jewellery for the Popes and beautiful trinkets and ornaments for the French Court, such as the salt-cellar for Francis I, perhaps one of the most perfect achievements of applied art created by human hands.
The black-and-white illustrations, which include all Cellini's works that have been preserved, as well as scenes from Renaissance life, were chosen by John Pope-Hennessy, who also wrote the introduction.