250TH ANNIVERSARY
Benvenuto Cellini
Due Trattati
(1568)
In 1565, his health failing and convinced his greatest work was behind him, Benvenuto Cellini, Italian sculptor, goldsmith and author, wrote Due trattati. In
Vita, he had written a robust autobiography of a tumultuous life marked by great creativity, as well as murder, theft and imprisonment. With characteristic hubris, Cellini believed Due trattati to be without precedent.
Known as the most skillful worker of metals in his day, in this treatise on goldsmithing Cellini reveals the eight principles of his art, which include setting and cutting precious stones, enameling and making medals. Cellini also describes the casting techniques used for large bronze statues. For his masterpiece, "Perseus," he threw 200 pounds of pewter plates or "piatti inglesi" into the ovens.
Cellini dedicated Due trattati to Francesco, the son of Cosimo I de'Medici, upon the occasion of his marriage.
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