Villa farnesina, loggia di psiche 17

This fresco cycle depicts scenes from the myth of Cupid and Psyche, framed by heavy botanical garlands. On the left, a nearly nude Venus gestures toward the goddesses Juno and Ceres; in the center, a winged putto playfully carries the shield and sword of Mars; on the right, Venus is shown standing in her chariot drawn by white doves.

The narrative, taken from Apuleius' 'The Golden Ass', was interpreted by Renaissance Neoplatonists as an allegory of the human soul (Psyche) undergoing earthly trials to achieve divine union with Love (Cupid). This specific cycle reflects the integration of classical mystery traditions and Neoplatonic philosophy into the private villas of the Roman elite.