Cellini seems to embody all the romance of the Renaissance. He was, and still is, world-class as a sculptor and a goldsmith; but what is not as well known is that he was also an occult philosopher of sorts. Consider this passage from his autobiography, a collection of lurid romances and sword-play that remains a literary classic:

"It happened through a variety of singular accidents that I became intimate with a Sicilian priest, who was a man of very elevated genius and well instructed in both Latin and Greek letters. In the course of conversation one day we were led to talk about the art of necromancy; apropos of which I said: 'Throughout my whole life I have had the intense desire to see or learn something of this art.' Thereto the priest replied; 'A stout soul and a steadfast must the man have who sets himself of such an enterprise.' I answered that of strength and steadfastness of soul I should have enough and to spare, provided I found the opportunity. Then the priest said: 'If you have the heart to dare it, I will amply satisfy your curiosity.' Accordingly we agreed upon attempting the adventure.

The priest one evening made his preparations, and bade me find a comrade, or not more than two. I invited Vincenzio Romoli, a very dear friend of mine., and the priest took with him a native of Pistoja, who was also cultivated the black art. We went together to the Coliseum; and there the priest, having arrayed himself in necromancer's robes, began to describe circles on the earth with the finest ceremonies that can be imagined. I must say that he had made us bring precious perfumes and fire, and also drugs of fetid odor. When the preliminaries were completed, he made the entrance into the circle; and taking us by the hand, introduced us one by one inside it. Then he assigned our several functions; to the necromancer, his comrade, he gave the pentacle to hold; the other two of us had to look after the fire and the perfumes; and then he began his incantations. This lasted for an hour and a half; when several legions appeared, and the Coliseum was full of devils. I was occupied with the precious perfumes, and when the priest percieved in what numbers they were present, he turned to me and said: "Benvuuto, ask them something." I called on them to reunite me with my Sicilian Angelica.

Cellini goes on to relate how they returned the following night to the Coliseum. That night more legions of deamons materialize in the smoke of the incense and flickering fires they tended all night. The necromancer tries to persuade Cellini to join him in these black arts but the great sculptor insists that he has a coin commissioned by the Pope to finish and will not be distracted from his work. Eventually, after killing someone in a street fight and going into hiding in another city, Cellini finds his beautiful prostitute lover Angelica, just as the necromancer predicted.