Benvenuto Cellini was a famous Renaissance goldsmith, sculptor and writer. He was born in Florence on 1 November 1500, and trained there as a goldsmith from the age of twelve. Always turbulent and quarrelsome, his artistic career, techniques and fortunes are narrated in his famous Vita [Life], which he began to write in 1558 during one of his spells in prison. Cellini was first banished from Florence for brawling as a teenager, and therefore trained in Siena, Bologna and Pisa as well. He lived in Rome from 1519 to 1527, patronised by Pope Clement VII amongst others, then moved between Naples, Florence and Venice, returning to Rome at intervals. Almost all his work in precious metals has been lost, but what remains is remarkable for its flamboyant Mannerist style and technical bravura. Cellini produced portrait medals for his patrons and was employed as a die-maker for papal coins. In 1537 he travelled to the court of the French king François I, where as well as objects of amazing intricacy he began to produce monumental sculpture. Returning to Florence in 1545, Cellini continued to quarrel with his artistic rivals for commissions and fame. He died there on 14 February 1571.