The story of Cupid and Psyche: a council of the gods decreei

An assembly of Olympian deities is gathered upon clouds, presided over by Jupiter who listens to Cupid plead his case. On the far left, Mercury offers Psyche a bowl of ambrosia to transform her into an immortal, while Venus looks on with a mix of indignation and acceptance. The scene features numerous gods identified by their attributes, including Neptune with a trident, Mars in armor, and Hercules with his club.

The myth of Cupid and Psyche served as a primary Renaissance Neoplatonic allegory for the soul's (Psyche) journey through terrestrial trials to achieve divine union with Love (Cupid). This apotheosis represents the soul's return to its celestial origin and its attainment of immortality, a central theme in the works of Marsilio Ficino and the Florentine Academy.