Villa farnesina, loggia di psiche 11

In the central triangular section, Mercury leads Psyche upward toward the heavens, framed by thick garlands of fruit and greenery. Above them, a crowded banquet of the Olympian gods takes place against a blue sky, while smaller winged figures nearby carry a thunderbolt and ride a lion. The scene captures the moment Psyche is brought to the divine realm to achieve immortality and marry Cupid.

The myth of Cupid and Psyche, drawn from Apuleius, served as a primary Neoplatonic allegory for the soul's (Psyche) journey through earthly trials to reach divine union with Love (Cupid). This program, designed for the banker Agostino Chigi, reflects the Renaissance fascination with the 'Classical Mysteries' and the soul's ascent as described in the works of Marsilio Ficino.