#benvenutocellini

Lorenzo Ghiberti

Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455 CE) was an Italian Renaissance sculptor and goldsmith whose most famous work is the gilded bronze doors of the Baptistery of Florence's cathedral. These doors, which took 27 years to complete, were so impressive that Michelangelo (1475-1564 CE) famously described them as the 'Gates of Paradise', a name which has stuck ever since. Another major contribution to the history of art is Ghiberti's autobiographical Commentaries, an invaluable record of the Renaissance art world in the mid-15th century CE and the oldest surviving autobiography by a European artist.

Tazza, Benvenuto Cellini, 19th century, after 16th century original, Metropolitan Museum of Art: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Purchase, 1873 Size: Overall: 6 3/4 × 7 in. (17.1 × 17.8 cm) Medium: Silver gilt

Tazza with cover, Benvenuto Cellini, 19th century, after 16th century original, Metropolitan Museum of Art: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1883 Size: Height: 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) Medium: Chalcedony, gold mount

Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Benvenuto Cellini, 19th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Gift of the Estate of Joseph Breck, 1933 Size: H. 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm.) Medium: Plaster, gilt