For example the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens is generally considered a literary masterpiece. Your Most Important Work.
Think about our priorities, your purpose, your reason for being. As I think about it, my thoughts meander between priorities. Neither had I. Work that will influence, perhaps, generations. From Wikipedia His book with that title was first published inand in a greatly expanded second edition effectively a "magnum opus" doubled in length of presentation in The term is often used very loosely.
The Royal Academy in London uses the term " diploma work " and it has acquired a fine collection of diploma works received as a condition of membership. They would have to produce a masterpiece to become masters at the end of their apprenticeships.
If not, no worries. The revelation was triggered by a question raised by a reader in the comments on a recent post. I think about everything. 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.