Difference between revisions of "Masterpieces"
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| − | *Date: 1600 | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17t_Century 1600] |
*1 : a [[work]] done with extraordinary [[skill]]; especially : a [[supreme]] [[intellectual]] or [[artistic]] achievement | *1 : a [[work]] done with extraordinary [[skill]]; especially : a [[supreme]] [[intellectual]] or [[artistic]] achievement | ||
*2 : a piece of [[work]] presented to a medieval guild as [[evidence]] of qualification for the rank of master | *2 : a piece of [[work]] presented to a medieval guild as [[evidence]] of qualification for the rank of master | ||
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'''Masterpiece''' (or chef d'œuvre) in modern usage [[refers]] to a [[creation]] that 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 or workmanship. | '''Masterpiece''' (or chef d'œuvre) in modern usage [[refers]] to a [[creation]] that 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 or workmanship. | ||
| − | [[Originally]], the term masterpiece [[referred]] to a piece of [[work]] produced by an [ | + | [[Originally]], the term masterpiece [[referred]] to a piece of [[work]] produced by an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprentice apprentice] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman journeyman] [[aspiring]] to become a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_craftsman master craftsman] in the old European [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild guild] system. His fitness to qualify for guild membership was [[judged]] partially by the Masterpiece, and if he was successful, it 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, or many other trades. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Academy Royal Academy] in London is one [[institution]] that has acquired a fine [[collection]] of "Diploma works" as a condition of acceptance. |
| − | It probably derives from the Dutch "meesterstuk" (German: Meisterstück), and the form "masterstik" is recorded in [[English]] in 1579 (or in [ | + | It probably derives from the Dutch "meesterstuk" (German: Meisterstück), and the form "masterstik" is recorded in [[English]] in 1579 (or in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_language Scots], since this was from some [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen Aberdeen] guild regulations), whereas "masterpiece" is first found in 1605, already outside a guild [[context]], in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Jonson Ben Jonson] [[play]]. |
Nowadays it is used for an exceptionally good piece of [[creative]] [[work]] or the best piece of work of a particular artist or craftsman. | Nowadays it is used for an exceptionally good piece of [[creative]] [[work]] or the best piece of work of a particular artist or craftsman. | ||
| − | Examples include: Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David, Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, and Goethe's Faust.[ | + | Examples include: Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David, Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, and Goethe's Faust.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterpiece] |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:22, 13 December 2020
- Date: 1600
- 1 : a work done with extraordinary skill; especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement
- 2 : a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master
Description
Masterpiece (or chef d'œuvre) in modern usage refers to a creation that 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 or workmanship.
Originally, the term masterpiece referred to a piece of work produced by an apprentice or journeyman aspiring to become a master craftsman in the old European guild system. His fitness to qualify for guild membership was judged partially by the Masterpiece, and if he was successful, it 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, or many other trades. The Royal Academy in London is one institution that has acquired a fine collection of "Diploma works" as a condition of acceptance.
It probably derives from the Dutch "meesterstuk" (German: Meisterstück), and the form "masterstik" is recorded in English in 1579 (or in Scots, since this was from some Aberdeen guild regulations), whereas "masterpiece" is first found in 1605, already outside a guild context, in a Ben Jonson play.
Nowadays it is used for an exceptionally good piece of creative work or the best piece of work of a particular artist or craftsman. Examples include: Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David, Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, and Goethe's Faust.[1]
