When I hear someone on TV saying masterpieces by so and so artist, it still makes me roll my eyes. For some reason, I can not let myself believe that an artist can really have multiple masterpieces. I think having it in plural form defeats the basic nature of someone’s artistic journey. Masterpiece is the culmination of the artist’s work. The single piece that puts him to a new level of artistic expression. It is the piece when style and emotion finally become one. The piece that defines the artist, and the standard for the succeeding pieces.

Maybe I’m searching for a different word.

On personal note, I think Monalisa is the only true masterpiece of Leonardo. All the rest are just extremely great works of art.