# Momus Criticizes the Gods' Creations [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [HEEMSKERCK, Maerten van]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Oil on oak, 120 x 174 cm ## Commentary Momus is the Greek deity of mockery, faultfinding, scoff and \(un\)fair criticism. He is also the patron of writers and poets. He found fault with the man made by Hephaestus for not having little doors in his breast through which his secret thoughts might be seen, and with Aphrodite for talking too much and because her sandals creaked \(although he could find no fault with her naked body\). This and other mocking and criticism of the gods led to his downfall and he was banished from the Olympus. ## Related artworks - [Annunciation]() - [Christ Being Crowned with Thorns]() - [Construction of the New St Peter's in Rome]() - [Crucifixion \(detail\)]() - [Crucifixion]() - [Crucifixion \(Triptych\)]() - [Ecce Homo Triptych]() - [Family Portrait]() - [Forum of Nerva]() - [Garden of the Casa Galli]() - [Garden of the Villa Madama]() - [Hercules of the Forum Boarium]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()