I picked this 1937 edition up while in New Orleans (where they still have real book stores loaded with second hand treasures). Cellini, soldier, adventurer, sculptor, and murderer, who lived from 1500-1571, wrote an autobiography which reflects the time in which he lived; corrupt Popes, nobles who loved art but who refused to pay for the work, grudges and slights which lead to public duels and back street murders and more.
A bit difficult to get into, after about 20% of it I found myself eagerly turning each page, looking for the next adventure. His describes how he designed and created his most famous works (the Salt Cellar, the Nymph of Fountainebleau, Perseus, etc.) and how he introduced new means of production to create the works.
The book ends suddenly which will make you do some research on the rest of his life, but you realize how short and brutish life was at that time. Most people married by the age of 15 and died by the age of 30 so if one was fortunate enough to not be a peasant, to have a valuable skill, one could and did lead a life which today would be considered, not criminal, but very close to the edge. Life was full of restrictions (if an artist were hired by say the Prince of Florence), he could not leave the city without either the consent or the wrath of that Prince. At the same time, valued artists could, if they had the nerve, demand much for their services.
Cellini of course embellishes his life and often makes himself out to be more noble than he was, yet at the same time, he slowly learns to govern himself so that he avoids the often-deadly situations in which his temper could lead him.
An excellent book, it is available in paperback and is worth the effort.
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