The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

New York: Doubleday & Company, 1948 Translated by John Addington Symonds. Illustrated by Salvador Dalí with full-page color plates and black-and-white drawings. First trade edition. Signed by Dalí with an original drawing of a horse on verso of half-title page. Publisher's red cloth, with horse illustration in gilt to front board, and black label lettered in gilt to spine. Very good, with some fading to spine, some rubbing to spine label and dimming to spine gilt, front board gilt bright, and a hint of offsetting to endpapers. Overall, an attractive copy, scarce signed. The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini was written by the Italian sculptor and (truncated) draftsman in the sixteenth century, although it was not published until 1728. This work, detailing the personal life of a well-known artist, has become perhaps the most important autobiography of the Italian Renaissance, giving readers a glimpse into the lives of historical figures like Michelangelo and the Medici family. In his writing, Cellini is unconcerned with maintaining a proper image of himself, and uses humor and exaggerations to embellish his story, even describing violent attacks he supposedly committed and otherworldly experiences he endured. This trade edition was preceded by a 1946 limited edition of 1000 numbered copies signed by Dalí.. Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. (Inventory #: SDAL003)