Benvenuto Cellini Born: 1 November 1500, Florence Died: 14 February 1571, Florence BENVENUTO CELLINI was one of the most larger-than-life figures of the Italian Renaissance. A celebrated sculptor, goldsmith, author and soldier, but also a hooligan and even a killer. The son of a musician and builder of musical instruments, Cellini's first major brush with the law came as an early teenager. He was banished from his native Florence for his alleged role in a fight. As a result, he received his early artistic training not only from the Florentine goldsmith, Marcone [Antonio di Sandro], but also from Francesco Castoro, a goldsmith of Siena. After further visits to Bo