Villa farnesina, loggia di psiche 03

The central figure is Mercury, identifiable by his winged hat, winged sandals, and caduceus, descending through a blue sky. He is framed by heavy, naturalistic garlands of fruit and vegetables that divide the vaulting into triangular compartments. In the surrounding spaces, small winged cupids carry attributes of other Olympian gods, such as a trident and a club, against a backdrop of clouds.

The Cupid and Psyche cycle, based on Apuleius’s 'The Golden Ass', was interpreted by Renaissance humanists as a Neoplatonic allegory of the soul's (Psyche's) journey through earthly trials to achieve divine immortality. Mercury appears here as the divine messenger and psychopomp who facilitates the mediation between the celestial and terrestrial realms.