This monologue podcast episode of "The Sculptor's Funeral" is a biographical exploration of the High Renaissance sculptor Benvenuto Cellini. The host, Jason Arkles, begins by introducing Cellini as a controversial figure, both despicable and captivating, whose autobiography reveals his flaws and talents. Arkles then discusses Cellini's life, highlighting his career as a goldsmith, his violent tendencies, and his tumultuous relationships, before focusing on Cellini's masterpiece, the Perseus statue in Florence. Arkles concludes by reading excerpts from Cellini's autobiography detailing the creation of the Perseus, emphasizing the challenges, rivalries, and personal struggles Cellini faced. Listeners gain insight into the artistic and personal life of a complex historical figure through a combination of biographical narrative and direct quotes from Cellini's own writing.
