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Perseus with the Head of Medusa
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Perseus with the Head of Medusa

19th century

Medium

Plaster, gilt

Dimensions

H. 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm.)

Collection

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of the Estate of Joseph Breck, 1933

Classification

Sculpture-Reproductions-Casts

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Culture

Italian

Rights

Public Domain

About Benvenuto Cellini

1500–1571France

Cellini was one of the best-known and influential Italian Mannerist artists of the 16th century. He worked in Rome for several popes, in France for Francis I, and in Florence for Cosimo I de'Medici. Among his most famous works are the elaborate gold figural salt made for Francis I (now in Vienna) and the bronze statue of Perseus (in Florence, Loggia dei Lanzi). His famous and colorful autobiography (written ca. 1558, but only published in 1728) is generally considered to be an important work of Italian literature, although not entirely factual. Italian Mannerist artist. Comment on works: Sculptor; Draughtsman; Medalist