Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini Vol 2
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Benvenuto Cellini
(4,389 Sterne; 9 Bewertungen)
Cellini's autobiographical memoirs, which he began writing in Florence in 1558, give a detailed account of his singular career, as well as his loves, hatreds, passions, and delights, written in an energetic, direct, and racy style. They show a great self-regard and self-assertion, sometimes running into extravagances which are impossible to credit. He even writes in a complacent way of how he contemplated his murders before carrying them out. He writes of his time in Paris:
Parts of his tale recount some extraordinary events and phenomena; such as his stories of conjuring up a legion of devils in the Colosseum, after one of his not innumerous mistresses had been spirited away from him by her mother; of the marvelous halo of light which he found surrounding his head at dawn and twilight after his Roman imprisonment, and his supernatural visions and angelic protection during that adversity; and of his being poisoned on two separate occasions.
The autobiography is a classic, and commonly regarded as one of the most colourful; it is certainly the most important autobiography from the Renaissance.
Cellini's autobiography is one of the books Tom Sawyer mentions as inspiration while freeing Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Karen Merline) (7 hr 21 min)
Chapters
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free LeonardPeltier
(4,5 Sterne)
Continuing from volume one. During this period Cellini relates his many interactions with his patrons, Duke and Duchess near Florence, who sometimes have quarrels with him and put him in no-win situations, while at other times are his greatest admirers, though slow at paying him what is due. He also was patronized by the King and Queen of France during which time he was happy to escape problems in Italy. Much time is spent in Florence where he did work for the Duke and was able to help his sister and 6 nieces after his good-hearted brother-in-law dies. He experiences further danger, a poisoning and other "rascalities " from various enemies. I found the descriptions of his various sculptures interesting. At times there is fierce competition with rival artists and Cellini does not shy away from commenting on what he sees as their inferiority. The readers all spoke clearly and a couple were very professional. Thank you for your time and effort. Cellini must have written his life up to age 66 (1566?). But nothing was said at the last chapter if it was to be continued further. I remember reading that he wrote this at age 70.