The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

By: Benvenuto Cellini

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Master Italian sculptor, goldsmith, and writer Benvenuto Cellini is best remembered for his magnificent autobiography. In this work, which was actually begun in 1558 but not published until 1730, Cellini beautifully chronicles his flamboyant times. He tells of his adventures in Italy and France, and his relations with popes, kings, and fellow artists. From Florence and Pisa to Siena and Rome, Cellini portrays a tumultuous period - the age of Galileo, Michelangelo and the de Medicis - with an artist's eye for detail and a curmudgeon's propensity for criticism.

Cellini, according to himself, lived a very full life, and his account of his exploits, though grandiloquent and somewhat suspect, is always entertaining. Historians have considered this work to be a prime example of the emergence of modern individualism during the Renaissance.

Translated by John Addington Symonds.

(P)1996 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"The minute details recounted by Cellini are gracefully read by Whitfield, who breathes life into this fascinating autobiography." (AudioFile)
"[The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini] chronicles with unflagging energy and force one of the most tempestuous lives and one of the largest egos in all of history....The vigorous translation is superbly realized by British narrator Robert Whitfield, successfully bringing to [the recording] Cellini's unforgettable story. Highly recommended for all collections." (Library Journal)

The autobiography reads like a novel

I have never read a book written in 1558 before. Benvenuto Cellini was born in Florence on 3 Nov 1500 and died on 13 Feb 1571. He began his autobiography in 1558 and it ended abruptly just before his last trip to Pisa about 1563. He apparently was a talented goldsmith, sculptor and was also a flute player. The first part of the book tells about the battles between Benvenuto and his father. His father was a musician and wanted Benvenuto to follow in his footsteps. He taught him to play but Benvenuto wanted to be an artist. He left Florence when he was 16 to study goldsmithing in Pisa. The story of his life is very interesting as he was a musician, goldsmith, sculptor and a soldier. This book reads like a novel. He mostly likely exaggerated his abilities but his art is in museum today so one can evaluate for oneself. His patron was Cosimo de Medici of Florence, Pope Clement VII and Pope Paul III along with Francis I of France. In the story I got the feeling he felt some key church people were against him and he would flee to another city for awhile. He writes in a complacent way of how he contemplated his murders before carrying them out. Apparently he murder about 5 people. He was in and out of prison as well as in and out of the Vatican. He goes into detail about the art he created and also a good deal about life in general in the 1500. I learned a great deal and enjoyed the style of his writing. I read this as an audio book; Robert Whitfield did a good job with all the Italian names. If you are interested in art history or history you will enjoy this book.

Interesting

Definitely not a good book as one would consider a traditional book. But an incredible glimpse into the life of an artist in the 16 century.

VERY interesting. Highly recommend!!

I read Cellini's Autobiography back in the 70's and marveled at it. Still feel the same way plus, after all that's happened since then, I wonder at Cellini's supreme arrogance and his seemingly contradictory piety. Obviously a man of his time and the social stature he gained due to his skill as a sculptor, goldsmith and BS Artist! If the Autobiography is to be believed, and from what I've read of that era , it seems to be... well, then he had more lives than an exceptional cat. One vile aspect of the man was his quick andon occadions deadly rage! He preferred to just skewer someone than deal with whatever prompted the anger and discord pre-emptively. And, for the most part he got away with it! My next quest will be to find a good Biography of him to try and understand more of how Cellini fit into the overall historical picture and what his lasting effect was on both the art of sculpture and goldsmithing & if any - on the political. Enjoyed the Narration! Always enjoy listening to Simon Vance. Not sure how he does it, - subtle intonation and changes in pace etc... he just gets any book he narrates, to flow naturally. Wish he'd do more Autobiographies and mysteries instead of so much fantasy tho. I'd love to hear him narrate any of Reginald Hill. Not just the Dalziel-Pasco series but Joe Sixsmith and the stand alone novels. Hill has an ability to find the most descriptive words in the English Language and uses them so adroitly that I think Vance would be the only narrator able to handle that.

Historical Gold

Easy to follow and understand, but of depth and quality worthy of such a grand master of sculpture and engraving.

Not only is this a wonderful picture of a time when we have little information regarding society, but a personal account of a truly fascinating person, to say nothing of his immense skill in the arts.

I have read and now listened to this autobiography. The narrator seems to carry a comparable voice to Cellini.

Recording unfinished

The recording is missing parts at the end, ask for a refund is a good idea.