What is . . .

. . . a masterpiece?

Is it the idea, the technique?
Is it the material, the style?
Is it the form?
Is it the right balance . . .

National Museum of Korea, Seoul, S. Korea - Summer 2014

 . . . of color and rhythm?
Is it soul?

Conversations, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Winter 2015

Is it the passion that goes into the creation?

Documenta 13, Kassel, Germany Summer 2012

Is it still?

. . .  makes the viewer feel?

Is it the exhibition space?
Is it the viewer?

Anselm Kiefer, Wege der Weltweisheit: die Hermanns-Schlacht, Städel Museum, Germany

Is it a masterpiece if it stays in the closet,
underneath the bed?  Or hangs in a gallery?

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
New Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia

Will books, libraries, institutions, ancient cave walls
reveal the secrets of what makes a masterpiece or
must we find out on our own?

Louvre Museum, Paris, Summer 1992

Is it the life long sacrifice of creating dreams?
Does the artist know?
Or does she exit without ever knowing?

Documenta 13, Charlotte Salomon's art, Kassel, Germany, 2012

Panel description of Charlotte Salomon's artwork, Documenta 13

Perhaps a masterpiece is the pursuit of immortal truth.

What is a masterpiece to you?