Mercury Brings Psyche up to Olympus

Mercury Brings Psyche up to OlympusRaphael

596
In this fresco (1517–18), Raphael depicts Mercury escorting Psyche to Olympus, symbolizing her apotheosis. Mercury’s winged hat and caduceus highlight his role as divine messenger, while Psyche embodies the soul’s ascent to immortality. The scene reflects Renaissance fascination with classical myths as allegories of spiritual transformation.