Biography Of Benvenuto Cellini ( 1500 ) - 996 Words

Benvenuto Cellini (1500 – 1571) was an autobiographer, goldsmith, musician, sculptor, and soldier. Cellini was born in Florence, Italy. Born of Giovanni Cellini and Maria Granacci, he was their second child. His name came from Old Italian welcome (bene well + venuto arrived ). It was commonly a name given to a much-desired and long-awaited child. His father Giovanni was a musician and maker of musical instruments, and in turn pressured Cellini into music from an early age. Cellini was not as passionate about playing the flute as his father wanted him to be, which often caused strife between the two. At the age of fifteen Cellini grew interested in goldsmithing, which his father objected to. Cellini ultimately convinced his†¦show more content†¦It was stressed to have abilities in multiple disciplines, physical, mental and intellectual, artistic and even social areas. Cellini was certainly known for being a goldsmith, and he was adept enough at drawing and sculp ting to allow for this profession, but what about the other areas of life? As we will examine, Cellini was talented in a number of areas, but he never really reached the level of mastery that was seen by many other renaissance men. He can still be considered a renaissance man because of the notable achievements he made in smithing, art, and music. At the age of fifty-eight Cellini started writing his autobiography. He began writing it himself but soon chose to dictate to a young of boy fourteen named Michele Goro. He began with stating he had a humble birth and intended to bring honor to his already prestigious lineage, saying: â€Å"I intend to write the story of my life with a certain amount of pride,† and that he does. Growing up the flute was his primary focus, as decided by his musician father, Giovanni. It is implied that his father was gifted in a number of telents as well, when a friend said to him â€Å"Giovanni, besides music teach him some of the other splendid arts you’re so good at.† Though his father did not seem interested in this idea and replied: â€Å"I don’t want him to learn anything except playing and composing.† Young Cellini did not approach the instrument with