The Discovery

Benvenuto Cellini, renowned for his extraordinary skills in goldsmithing and sculpting and his page-turning autobiography, La Vita, during 16th century Italy, has long been celebrated for his talents. However, a discovery in 2004 of one of his portraits has unveiled a previously unknown facet of his genius— he was also a masterful painter. This revelation adds a new dimension to his already impressive oeuvre. The newfound recognition of Cellini's abilities as a painter sheds light on his remarkable versatility and expands our appreciation of his artistic legacy. 

Benvenuto Cellini, Self-Portrait, 61 x 48 cm, Oil on Paper and Canvas, Cellini Art Fund

In 2004, a significant discovery was made when Benvenuto Cellini's self-portrait resurfaced. Since then, this painting has been researched and studied by the world's most eminent art historians hailing from Italy, the U.K., and France. It stands as the sole known painted self-portrait executed by Cellini's hand. Intriguing historical records reveal that the portrait once adorned Cellini's entrance hall, as noted in the notary's ledger of his estate upon his death in 1571. Art historians have used this self-portrait to uncover the fact that Cellini had incorporated his self-portraits into many of his works. This secret remained unknown for centuries, as the field of art history had lost knowledge of Cellini's facial features. The self-portrait not only provides a visual representation of the artist himself but also acts as a gateway to unravelling the enigmatic presence of Cellini's self-portraits throughout his creations. It represents an extraordinary rediscovery and rekindles our understanding of Cellini.