Bindo Altoviti
sculptor
Benvenuto Cellini
(Florence, 1500 - 1571, Florence)
Date1549
Place MadeFlorence, Tuscany, Italy, Europe
MediumTin-bronze
Dimensions105.5 x 68.5 x 40.5 cm (41 9/16 x 26 15/16 x 15 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberS26e21
Status
Not on viewWeb Commentary
Bindo Altoviti (1491–1557) was a prominent banker and art collector. An opponent of the Medici family, which had ruled Florence for generations, Altoviti spent much of his life in Rome where he became a wealthy banker to the popes. He eventually launched an unsuccessful revolt against the Medici.
The sculptor and goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini worked principally in Florence, but also in Rome and Paris. The bust is one of only two over life-sized portrait busts made by Cellini, and was praised by Michelangelo, who felt it was the equal of celebrated ancient Greek and Roman works. Isabella placed a self-portrait of Cellini’s rival, Baccio Bandinelli nearby.
Id727037
Last Updated8/9/24
EmbARK ObjectID12375
Source ID1502
