Sardonic Grimace

The sardonic grimace is one of the most famous and recognizable masks in the history of art. It was created by the ancient Greek sculptor Phidias at the beginning of the 5th century BC and became a symbol of sarcasm and causticity.

The sardonic grimace is a mask with an open mouth and raised eyebrows. She expresses contempt and mockery of the world around her. This mask was especially popular in Ancient Greece, where sarcasm was considered one of the most effective ways to express one's thoughts and feelings.

Today, the sardonic mask continues to be popular in art. It is used in various forms such as sculpture, painting and even modern design. The sardonic mask has become a symbol of irony, sarcasm, ridicule and contempt for the world.

However, despite its popularity and widespread use in art, the sardonic grimace is not always a positive symbol. In some cases, it can express cruelty, anger and even hatred towards others.

Thus, the sardonic grimace continues to be an important part of the history of art and culture, but its use must be careful and measured so as not to become a source of negative emotions and feelings.



A sardonic smile is a smile that appears sad and bitter. It is accompanied by a frown or wink of one eye, which gives the impression of intense sincerity. Sardonic humor is not approving, it shocks and attracts. There is nothing cheerful in the expression of a sardonic smile; on the contrary, it contains ironic satire or merciless sarcasm. On the one hand, sardonic smiles can be an indicator of a person’s individualism, and on the other hand, they represent a protective function and generate a contrast under a person’s conscious or unconscious self-control. This type of facial expression contradicts the ancient Mycedonian tradition of making grimaces as a sign of affection towards the interlocutor.

The term “sardonic” comes from ancient Greek history, more precisely from the biography of Plutarch (46-120), who was especially hated by representatives of the ruling elite in Rome. Pliny the Elder (2nd century AD) in his encyclopedia described Plutarch as a man with