Masterpiece

For other uses, seeMasterpiece (disambiguation).

"Magnum opus" redirects here. For other uses, seeMagnum opus (disambiguation).

"Opus magnum" redirects here. For the video game, seeOpus Magnum.For the album, seeOpus Magnum(album).

Michelangelo'sThe Creation of Adam(c. 1512), part of theSistine Chapel ceiling,is considered an archetypal masterpiece ofpainting.

Amasterpiece,magnum opus,orchef-d'œuvre(Frenchfor 'master of work';pl.chefs-d'œuvre;French:[ʃɛ.d‿œvʁ]) in modern use is a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or a work of outstandingcreativity,skill, profundity, orworkmanship.

Historically, a "masterpiece" was a work of a very high standard produced to obtain membership of a guild or academy in various areas of the visual arts and crafts.

In painting,Leonardo da Vinci'sMona Lisa(c. 1503–06) is considered an archetypal masterpiece,although it was not produced for admission to a guild or academy.

Etymology

The formmasterstikis recorded in English orScotsin a set ofAberdeenguild regulations dated to 1579, whereasmasterpieceis first found in 1605, already outside a guild context, in aBen Jonsonplay.Masterprizewas another early variant in English.

Things Fall Apartby Igbo authorChinua Achebeis often considered a literary masterpiece, and one of the greatest works ofNigerian literature.

In English, the term rapidly became used in a variety of contexts for an exceptionally good piece of creative work, and was "in early use, often applied to man as the 'masterpiece' of God or Nature".

History

Federico Zuccari,Two Painter's Apprentices,1609. They would have to produce amasterpieceto become masters at the end of their apprenticeships.

Originally, the termmasterpiecereferred to a piece of work produced by anapprenticeorjourneymanaspiring to become amaster craftsmanin the old Europeanguildsystem. His fitness to qualify for guild membership was judged partly by the masterpiece, and if he was successful, the piece was retained by the guild. Great care was therefore taken to produce a fine piece in whatever the craft was, whether confectionery, painting,goldsmithing,knifemaking,leatherworking, or many other trades.

In London, in the 17th century, theWorshipful Company of Goldsmiths,for instance, required an apprentice to produce a masterpiece under their supervision at a "workhouse" inGoldsmiths' Hall.The workhouse had been set up as part of a tightening of standards after the company became concerned that the level of skill of goldsmithing was being diluted. The wardens of the company had complained in 1607 that the "true practise of the Art & Mystery of Goldsmithry is not only grown into great decays but also dispersed into many parts, so as now very few workmen are able to finish & perfect a piece of plate singularly with all the garnishings & parts thereof without the help of many & several hands...". The same goldsmithing organization still requires the production of a masterpiece but it is no longer produced under supervision.

InNuremberg,Germany, between 1531 and 1572, apprentices who wished to become master goldsmith were required to producecolumbine cups,dies for a steel seal, and gold rings set with precious stones before they could be admitted to the goldsmiths' guild. If they failed to be admitted, then they could continue to work for other goldsmiths but not as a master themselves. In some guilds, apprentices were not allowed to marry until they had obtained full membership.

In its original meaning, the term was generally restricted to tangible objects, but in some cases, where guilds covered the creators of intangible products, the same system was used. The best-known example today isRichard Wagner's operaDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg(1868), where much of the plot is concerned with the hero's composition and performance of a "masterpiece" song, to allow him to become ameistersingerin the (non-commercial) Nuremberg guild. This follows the surviving rulebook of the guild.

The practice of producing a masterpiece has continued in some modern academies of art, where the general term for such works is nowreception piece.TheRoyal Academyin London uses the term "diploma work"and it has acquired a fine collection of diploma works received as a condition of membership.

Modern use

In modern use, a masterpiece is a creation in any area ofthe artsthat has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill, profundity, or workmanship. For example, the novelDavid CopperfieldbyCharles Dickensis generally considered a literary masterpiece.The term is often used loosely, and some critics, such as Edward Douglas ofThe Tracking Board,feel it is overused in describing recent films.

See also

• Artistic merit
• Classic
• Great books
• Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• Painting the Century: 101 Portrait Masterpieces 1900–2000
• Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces
• Western canon

External links

• Masterpieces at the Louvre.