Villa Farnesina, Loggia of Galatea

The lower fresco depicts the sea-nymph Galatea riding a shell-chariot pulled by dolphins, fleeing the giant Polyphemus while surrounded by marine deities and cupids. On the ceiling above, various mythological panels show Perseus slaying Medusa alongside the personification of Fame blowing a trumpet. The vaulted spandrels and octagons contain further figures representing constellations, including Leda and the Swan and Hercules.

The decorative program constitutes a natal horoscope for the patron, Agostino Chigi, meticulously mapping the positions of the stars and planets at the time of his birth on November 29, 1466. This synthesis of Ovidian mythology and celestial science reflects the High Renaissance Neoplatonic belief in the cosmic harmony between the macrocosm and the individual soul.