Farnesina Loggia di Psiche. 09

This interior view shows the vaulted ceiling and spandrels decorated with scenes from the story of Psyche, framed by dense, realistic garlands of fruit and botanical specimens. The frescoes depict various Olympian deities and putti carrying the attributes of the gods, such as the club of Hercules and the trident of Neptune, against a bright sky background. Below the vaulted scenes, the walls are decorated with trompe l'oeil marble paneling and classical niches.

The cycle, based on Apuleius' 'The Golden Ass', was interpreted by Renaissance humanists as a Neoplatonic allegory of the human soul (Psyche) undergoing trials to achieve divine union with Love (Cupid). It represents the synthesis of pagan mythology and philosophical inquiry into the nature of the soul prevalent in High Renaissance Roman circles.