Photo: Bust Of Benvenuto Cellini Statue Florence City Tuscany Italy

The Bust of Benvenuto Cellini, a Florentine goldsmith, has an elaborate pedestal and base which stands on the Ponte Vecchio in the historic City of Florence, Tuscany, Italy.

When crossing the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge in the city of Florence, Italy the Bust of Benevuto Cellini is hard to miss. The elaborate pedestal and base on which the statue sits is surrounded by a metal fence.

Benvenuto Cellini was born November 3rd 1500, in the city of Florence, Italy, the second child of Giovanni Cellini and Maria Lisabetta Granacci. Giovanni was a musician and instrument maker. As a child Benvenuto was interested in working with metal, much to the disappointment of his father who wanted him to follow in his profession. At fifteen Benvenuto got his wish and was apprenticed to goldsmith Antonio di Sandro, but at sixteen the young Cellini had a teenage gang problem and fled to Siena, and then to Bologna.

In Bologna he not only became a better goldsmith but became proficient on the flute. At nineteen he moved to Rome where his work was noticed by Pope Clement VII. Benvenuto Cellini continued creating works of art in both gold and silver, his medallions such as 'Leda and the Swan', 'Hercules'and the 'Nemean Lion' brought him many accolades. Cellini's many artistic attributes as a gold and silversmith, sculptor, painter and musician filled his life until he died in Florence on February 13, 1571, but his fame lived after him - he wrote an autobiography, and Berlioz composed an opera called 'Cellini'.

Bust of Benvenuto Cellini (a famous goldsmith, painter, sculptor and musician) on the Ponte Vecchio (bridge), City of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Province of Florence, Region of Tuscany, Italy, Europe.