Sanzio, Raffaello - studio of - The Council of the Gods Venus and Cupid before Jupiter, 1031G

A red chalk drawing depicting a gathering of Olympian deities seated amongst clouds. On the left, a standing Venus presents the winged child Cupid to a pensive Jupiter, while other gods including a helmeted Minerva and Diana with a crescent moon look on. The composition is a preparatory study for the fresco cycle in the Loggia di Psiche at the Villa Farnesina.

This scene, drawn from Apuleius's 'The Golden Ass', reflects the High Renaissance Neoplatonic fascination with the myth of Cupid and Psyche as an allegory for the soul's journey toward divine love and immortality.