Benvenuto Cellini was a celebrated goldsmith and distinguished sculptor yet itis on his autobiography that much of his fame rests. Begun in Florence when hewas ... » 

Benvenuto Cellini was a celebrated goldsmith and distinguished sculptor yet itis on his autobiography that much of his fame rests. Begun in Florence when hewas fiftyeight it was primarily intended to be the story of his life and arthis tragedies and triumphs. However as he was an active participant in thewars and struggles of the period and drew his friends and enemies from alllevels of society it became a vivid and convincing portrait of the manners andmorals both of the rulers of the sixteenth century and of theirsubjects.With enviable powers of invective and an irrepressible sense ofhumor reflected in an equally vigorous and extravagant style Cellini hasprovided an intriguing and unrivaled glimpse into the palaces and prisons ofthe Italy of Michelangelo and the Medici. For this edition George Bull hasrevised and expanded his Introduction added comprehensive Notes and updatedthe Bibliography. «