Masterpiece: The Origin and Evolution

'Masterpiece' is a lexical term today, which connotes 'a great work of Art of any genre' in the world.

- BY BHAGYA RAJAPAKSA

At times in common practice, when presenting a work of Art, notwithstanding the absence of its inherent defining qualities, the term wields exaggeration, much in the form of an attributive adjective. In a broader sense, what constitutes a Work of Art a 'Masterpiece'?

Imagination is the cornerstone of art. The core element of all forms of Art is human imagination. In other words, all forms of art begin with an image, created in the Human Mind. 'The Humanities through the Arts' written by David Martin and Lee A. Jacobus, recognises three of the most widely accepted criteria for determining whether or not something is a work of Art. First, the object or the event should be made by an artist. The second criterion is that the object or event should be intended to be a work of Art by its maker and, thirdly, that the important or recognised 'experts' agree that it is a work of Art.

The observations, speculations, conclusions and judgments of key individuals such as art historians, connoisseurs, curators, and critics are considered to be universally accepted in the field of Art. Their art consciousness, critical point of view, profound artistic perception and multi-sensory engagement with art are conducive to determining the provenance, authenticating, evaluating, interpreting and appreciating a great work of art while distinguishing it from a work that is mediocre. This discernment entails a Work of Art being positioned in the best appropriate context.