Portrait of Bindo Altoviti
Cellini, 1549
Bronze
Gardner Museum

Michelangelo praised this bust when he saw it in Bindo's palace in Rome, comparing it favorably to busts made in Ancient Greece and Rome. Since the Renaissance revered the ancient world, this was high praise, especially from one considered the greatest sculptor of the time.

Cellini's bust of Bindo is unique - the only major bronze made for a private patron in the Renaissance. Because of its cost, bronze was usually employed only for portraits of rulers. It is also Cellini's last portrait, last bronze sculpture, and his only securely documented major sculpture outside Europe.

Bindo wears a knit scullcap, or snood (scuffiotto in Italian), which was common in the 16th century, and sometimes associated with the banking profession. His long, flowing outer mantle and thinner undershirt are typical 16th century attire.

During the Renaissance, there was an ongoing debate about whether painters or sculptors were better at making portraits. The bust of Bindo Altoviti was Cellini's answer to the painters.