Villa farnesina, loggia di psiche 08

The scene shows a row of deities seated upon clouds, with Psyche appearing at the left being presented with a vessel of ambrosia by Mercury. To the right, major gods are identifiable by their attributes, including Jupiter with his eagle, Neptune with his trident, and Pluto accompanied by the three-headed dog Cerberus. The composition is part of a larger ceiling fresco framed by thick garlands of fruit, flowers, and vegetables.

This work visualizes the narrative from Apuleius's 'The Golden Ass,' which Renaissance humanists interpreted as a Neoplatonic allegory for the soul's (Psyche) arduous journey through material trials to reach divine union and immortality. The inclusion of figures like Mercury and the sphinx underscores the Hermetic and esoteric interests of the Chigi circle who commissioned the work.