1500-1571. Italian sculptor and goldsmith
working in the Mannerist style; author of an
arrogant autobiography (begun 1558). Among
his works are a graceful bronze Perseus
1545-54 (Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence) and a
gold salt cellar made for Francis I of France
1540-43 (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna),
topped by nude reclining figures. Cellini was
born in Florence and apprenticed to a
goldsmith. In 1519 he went to Rome, later
worked for the papal mint, and was once
imprisoned on a charge of having embezzled
pontifical jewels. He worked for a time in
France at the court of Francis I, but finally
returned to Florence in 1545.