chef-d'œuvre
Artist's crowning achievement
A chef-d'œuvre is a masterpiece—the finest work of an artist, writer, or craftsman.
The French term (literally "chief work") appears in English when writers want a touch of elegance or when discussing French art and culture: The cathedral was the architect's chef-d'œuvre.
Plural: chefs-d'œuvre.
Heavy woven cloth
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
- oil paintingArt made with linseed-bound pigments
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
exhibition · brushwork · composition · chiaroscuro · perspective · patronage · atelier · Renaissance
Creator's supreme achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- pièce de résistanceOutstanding item in collection
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
- crowning achievementGreatest success attained
opus · showpiece · classic · monument · jewel · treasure · icon · crowning glory
Uppermost point or culmination
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- acmeUltimate point of attainment
- culminationHighest or final point
- peakUtmost height attained
summit · climax · capstone · ne plus ultra · high-water mark · crowning moment · finest hour
Absence of any fault
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
- superlativeHighest-degree word form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- epitomePerfect representative of type
paragon · peerless · matchless · unsurpassed · transcendent · consummate · incomparable · preeminent
Gifted youth with rare talent
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
master · auteur · old master · creative genius · stroke of genius
canvas
Heavy woven cloth
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
- oil paintingArt made with linseed-bound pigments
gallery · exhibition · brushwork · composition · chiaroscuro · perspective · patronage · atelier · Renaissance · Baroque
magnum opus
Creator's supreme achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- pièce de résistanceOutstanding item in collection
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
crowning achievement · opus · showpiece · classic · monument · jewel · treasure · icon · crowning glory · seminal work
apex
Uppermost point or culmination
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- acmeUltimate point of attainment
- culminationHighest or final point
peak · summit · climax · capstone · ne plus ultra · high-water mark · crowning moment · finest hour
perfection
Absence of any fault
- sublimeAwe-inspiring greatness
- superlativeHighest-degree word form
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
epitome · paragon · peerless · matchless · unsurpassed · transcendent · consummate · incomparable · preeminent · impeccable
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
luminary · master · auteur · old master · creative genius · stroke of genius