Raimondi - Triumph der Galathea, DG201736999

Galatea balances on a large scallop shell as she is pulled through the waves by two dolphins, her cloak billowing behind her. She is surrounded by muscular sea-gods and nymphs, while four winged cupids hover above; three aim their arrows at her while a fourth hides in the clouds with a bundle of reserve bolts.

This composition is a primary visual expression of the Neoplatonic 'Idea', representing an archetype of divine beauty as theorized by Marsilio Ficino. Raphael famously claimed he painted the figure by following a 'certain idea' in his mind rather than an earthly model, reflecting the philosophical belief that the artist could access celestial forms.