Villa farnesina, loggia di psiche 28

This decorative cycle depicts the narrative of Cupid and Psyche as told by the Roman author Apuleius. On the left, the king of the gods, Jupiter, embraces Cupid while his eagle sits nearby; on the right, Mercury is shown in flight with his winged cap and sandals, guiding Psyche. The scenes are enclosed within lush, heavy garlands of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that mimic an outdoor pergola.

The myth of Cupid and Psyche served as a primary Neoplatonic allegory during the Renaissance, symbolizing the human soul's (Psyche) purification through suffering and its ultimate union with Divine Love (Cupid). This interpretation was heavily influenced by the recovery of Platonic texts and the commentaries of Marsilio Ficino regarding the ascent of the soul.