The Life of Benvenuto Cellini: Written By Himself.

CELLINI, Benvenuto; Fritz Kredel [Illustrator].

$850.00

Item Number: 148544

New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1937.

The Limited Editions Club signed limited edition of this autobiographical account by the Italian Renaissance sculptor, goldsmith, and writer Benvenuto Cellini. Quarto, bound in full modern morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe / Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, with black and white illustrations. Boldly signed by illustrator Fritz Kredel on the colophon page at the rear. One of 1,550 numbered copies, this is number 161. In fine condition with sunning to the spine. Translated from the Italian and edited by John Addington Symonds. Introduction by Thomas Craven. Illustrated by Fritz Kredel.

The Life of Benvenuto Cellini is a remarkable Renaissance autobiography that offers an unvarnished, highly personal account of the life and mindset of one of Italy’s most talented and tempestuous artists. Written in Italian between 1558 and 1566, Cellini’s narrative presents himself as a fiercely independent sculptor and goldsmith whose artistic genius is matched by his volatile temperament and defiant individuality. Through detailed descriptions of his works, travels, and interactions with powerful patrons—including popes, kings, and dukes—Cellini constructs an image of the artist as both heroic and self-sufficient, embodying the Renaissance ideal of creative autonomy.