Engraved portrait supposedly depicting Benvenuto Cellini (1500-71), Italian goldsmith and sculptor. Cellini was born in Florence, the second son of a musical instrument maker. At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a goldsmith, first in Florence then in Siena. He worked in various cities as a goldsmith, finding great favour with nobles and the Papacy. He created several impressive statues, perhaps the best is his bronze group, 'Perseus with the head of Medusa' in Florence. Cellini wrote a frank autobiography in which he admitted to several murders as well as his part in much political intrigue and adventure during the various wars that were fought during his life in what is now Italy. This engraving first appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1796.