1
: a work done with extraordinary skill
especially
: a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement
2
: a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master
Synonyms
Example Sentences
The painting was immediately recognized as a masterpiece.
Herman Melville’s masterpiece was Moby-Dick.
Her study of apes is a masterpiece.
Recent Examples on the Web
But no one can doubt that Yi Yi is another unsung Edward Yang masterpiece — and one that lands in a very different state of mind from A Brighter Summer Day.
—
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2023
Turns out, the family joke was a hidden masterpiece, a genuine work of Pieter Bruegel the Younger, a 17th-century Flemish artist.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
The French masterpiece at 3518 Armstrong Ave., designed in 2008 by celebrated architect Lloyd Lumpkins, has six bedrooms in more than 12,200 square feet of living space.
—Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 4 Apr. 2023
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Precious Colors Two of the most outstanding pieces to come out of the show are Jaeger-LeCoultre’s métiers d’art masterpieces, Reverso One Precious Colors.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2023
Dusty old painting turns out to be Brueghel ‘masterpiece’ This 17th-century painting was hiding in a family home for years.
—Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 28 Mar. 2023
An intense masterpiece with a warming oak-spiced, lingering finish.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
The daytime festival highlights artists, sidewalk chalk masterpieces, international street cuisine, food trucks, craft beer and family-friendly activities.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023
In the form of these miniature masterpieces, which sit atop microchips, the semiconductor industry churns out more objects in a year than have ever been produced in all the other factories in all the other industries in the history of the world.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘masterpiece.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of masterpiece was
in 1600
Dictionary Entries Near masterpiece
Cite this Entry
“Masterpiece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masterpiece. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on masterpiece
Last Updated:
12 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
by Alina Livneva
3 February ’19
What is a masterpiece? The making of a masterpiece
What makes a masterpiece?
Before we learn how to make a masterpiece, we have to understand the process of making masterpieces. Someone has to put the paint on the canvas and make something out of it that we call art. The same goes for sculpture or any other work of art or style. Then someone has to grab a writing utensil, usually art historians, critics, and take it to the page to form words, texts, expressions on great works of visual arts. Images and sounds we build in our minds shine for the world to see. They are creative and one of a kind. Why are they greatest works? Because of the value placed on them by their creator?
Masterpiece is the most overused word in the art world. Dubbing something a «masterpiece» helps justify higher prices and signals the quality of the art.
And we all know that not everything done by a master such as Picasso or Van Gogh is necessarily a masterpiece.
Today, the word “master” or “masterpiece” has lost its meaning because it is not based on anything tangible in the modern world. It becomes just a pretty word that has lost its original purpose. Anyone can say a piece of art is a masterpiece as long as they are connected to the art elite, and then the piece is stamped as a masterpiece even if it is not.
So…
A Masterpiece is the work of an artist who has been absorbed by the spirit of his/her times and can transform personal experience into a universal one. Masterpieces make us forget the artists, and instead direct our attention to the artist’s works. We may wonder how a particular work was executed, but for the time being, we are transposed, so deeply brought into this creation that our consciousness is expanded.
You know when you’ve encountered a masterpiece because it stays with you for the rest of your life.
Although there are differentiating criteria on the specific elements involved in selecting a masterpiece, there are common qualities that every masterpiece shares. Some feelings must be evoked, whether it’s curiosity, awe, or disgust. There should be style, technique, balance, and harmony. It is helpful to discuss perspective and form, but still, this would not describe that elusive element essential to any moving work, and the motive is another important factor.
Masterpiece defined
«Masterpiece» has its troublesome edge, though. Some contemporary scholars dismiss the term as an elitist designation, used to exclude whole categories of art or to lend an air of mystification to critical judgments. And the general public sometimes embraces certain works as «masterpieces» based mostly on their celebrity and fame.
The term «masterpiece» originated in the Middle Ages when apprentice artisans had to prove their skills by submitting exemplary work for approval by the guild that governed their trade — carving, metalwork, enameling. If the piece demonstrated mastery of the craft, the apprentice would be promoted to master.
A masterpiece is something that stands the test of time and is viewed as a masterpiece from generation to generation. Secondly, it must influence generations of artists and change the way that people look at the medium — be it painting, sculpture, decorative art or whatever. It must be so original that once you’ve seen it, you’re indelibly influenced by its power, and any artist who goes in that direction is accused of studying under or being in the shadow of the original.
A masterpiece crystallizes a whole set of artistic and cultural values and is technically brilliant above reproach.
Evolution of the masterpiece
The meaning evolved under the influence of connoisseurs, who might judge art on the distinctiveness of its design, energy, rarity, quality, age, provenance, subject matter, universal appeal, originality, or scholars who often concern themselves with the history and authenticity of a piece.
“Nothing is a masterpiece — a real masterpiece — till it’s about two hundred years old. A picture is like a tree or a church; you’ve got to let it grow into a masterpiece. Same with a poem or a new religion. They begin as a lot of funny words. Nobody knows whether they’re all nonsense or a gift from heaven. And the only people who think anything of ’em are a lot of cranks or crackpots, or poor devils who don’t know enough to know anything.» ― Joyce Cary.
A continuing education
We’re all enslaved by our prior experiences. One might appreciate an artist because he’s captive to his knowledge base in whatever art history. But seeing more broadens the understanding and appreciation of the evolution of taste, scholarship, and personal development. By looking at exhibitions, people can continue to develop and expand their knowledge of what a masterpiece can be.
“The Mona Lisa, that really is the ugliest portrait I’ve seen, the only thing that supposedly makes it famous is the mystery behind it,” Katherine admitted as she remembered her trips to the Louvre and how she shook her head at the poor tourists crowding around to see a jaundiced, eyebrow-less lady that reminded her of tight-lipped Washington on the dollar bill. Surely, they could have chosen a better portrait of the First President for their currency?” ― E.A. Bucchianeri.
About author
Alina Livneva was born 1985 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She studied at Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts. Educated in Russia and the United States. Lives in Miami. Has also lived in Russia. Modern Art. Contemporary Art. Collections expert, exhibitions and loans. E:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- masterpiece
- [‘mɑːstəpiːs]
сущ.
1) шедевр
enduring masterpiece — бессмертный шедевр
to create a masterpiece — создать шедевр
2)
ист.
лучший образец, образцовое изделие
3)
разг.
кто-л. или что-л. удивительное, достойное восхищения
•
Syn:
Англо-русский современный словарь.
2014.
Смотреть что такое «masterpiece» в других словарях:
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Masterpiece — Single par Mami Kawada extrait de l’album Linkage Face A Masterpiece Face B Jellyfish Sortie 4 février 2009 … Wikipédia en Français
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Masterpiece — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Marterpiece Álbum de Rakim y Ken Y Publicación 14 de febrero de 2006 Género(s) Reggaeton … Wikipedia Español
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Masterpiece — Mas ter*piece , n. Anything done or made with extraordinary skill; a capital performance; a chef d [oe]uvre; a supreme achievement. [1913 Webster] The top and masterpiece of art. South. [1913 Webster] Dissimulation was his masterpiece. Claredon.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Masterpiece — «Masterpiece» песня Мадонны. Первоначально была записана как саундтрек для фильма W.E. в 2012 году. Позже песня была включена в двенадцатый студийный альбом Мадонны под название MDNA. 3 апреля 2012 года песня была исполнена на радио в… … Википедия
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masterpiece — (n.) c.1600, from MASTER (Cf. master) (n.) + PIECE (Cf. piece) (n.). A loan translation of Du. meesterstuk work by which a craftsman attains the rank of master (or its German cognate Meisterstück) … Etymology dictionary
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masterpiece — [n] respected work of art chef d’oeuvre, classic, cream*, cream of the crop*, flower, gem*, jewel*, magnum opus, masterstroke, master work, model, monument, perfection, pièce de résistance*, prize, showpiece, standard, tour de force*, treasure;… … New thesaurus
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masterpiece — ► NOUN ▪ a work of outstanding skill. ORIGIN originally referring to a piece of work by a craftsman accepted as qualification for membership of a guild as an acknowledged master … English terms dictionary
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masterpiece — [mas′tər pēs΄] n. [calque of Ger meisterstück] 1. a thing made or done with masterly skill; great work of art or craftsmanship 2. the greatest work made or done by a person or group … English World dictionary
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Masterpiece — For other uses, see Masterpiece (disambiguation). Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci, c. 1503–1506 … Wikipedia
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masterpiece — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ great ▪ It s one of the greatest masterpieces of Western art. ▪ acknowledged ▪ The piece ranks with such acknowledged masterpieces as the Mass in G. ▪ minor … Collocations dictionary
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masterpiece — [[t]mɑ͟ːstə(r)piːs, mæ̱s [/t]] masterpieces 1) N COUNT A masterpiece is an extremely good painting, novel, film, or other work of art. His book, I must add, is a masterpiece. …masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt, Raphael and Ingres. 2) N… … English dictionary
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‘Olive Kitteridge’ is a masterpiece: The writing is so perfect you don’t even notice it; the story is so vivid it’s less like reading a story than experiencing it firsthand.
Melissa Bank
ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD MASTERPIECE
Compare Dutch meesterstuk, German Meisterstück, a sample of work submitted to a guild by a craftsman in order to qualify for the rank of master.
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.
PRONUNCIATION OF MASTERPIECE
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF MASTERPIECE
Masterpiece is a noun.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.
WHAT DOES MASTERPIECE MEAN IN ENGLISH?
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person’s career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill, or workmanship.
Definition of masterpiece in the English dictionary
The definition of masterpiece in the dictionary is an outstanding work, achievement, or performance. Other definition of masterpiece is the most outstanding piece of work of a creative artist, craftsman, etc.
WORDS THAT RHYME WITH MASTERPIECE
Synonyms and antonyms of masterpiece in the English dictionary of synonyms
SYNONYMS OF «MASTERPIECE»
The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «masterpiece» and belong to the same grammatical category.
Translation of «masterpiece» into 25 languages
TRANSLATION OF MASTERPIECE
Find out the translation of masterpiece to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of masterpiece from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «masterpiece» in English.
Translator English — Chinese
杰作
1,325 millions of speakers
Translator English — Spanish
obra maestra
570 millions of speakers
Translator English — Hindi
मास्टरपीस
380 millions of speakers
Translator English — Arabic
رَائِعَةٌ
280 millions of speakers
Translator English — Russian
шедевр
278 millions of speakers
Translator English — Portuguese
obra-prima
270 millions of speakers
Translator English — Bengali
মাষ্টারপিস
260 millions of speakers
Translator English — French
chef d’œuvre
220 millions of speakers
Translator English — Malay
Karya
190 millions of speakers
Translator English — German
Meisterstück
180 millions of speakers
Translator English — Japanese
傑作
130 millions of speakers
Translator English — Korean
걸작
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Javanese
karya Agung
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Vietnamese
kiệt tác
80 millions of speakers
Translator English — Tamil
தலைசிறந்த
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Marathi
उत्कृष्ट नमुना
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Turkish
başyapıt
70 millions of speakers
Translator English — Italian
capolavoro
65 millions of speakers
Translator English — Polish
arcydzieło
50 millions of speakers
Translator English — Ukrainian
шедевр
40 millions of speakers
Translator English — Romanian
capodoperă
30 millions of speakers
Translator English — Greek
αριστούργημα
15 millions of speakers
Translator English — Afrikaans
meesterstuk
14 millions of speakers
Translator English — Swedish
mästerverk
10 millions of speakers
Translator English — Norwegian
mesterverk
5 millions of speakers
Trends of use of masterpiece
TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «MASTERPIECE»
The term «masterpiece» is very widely used and occupies the 14.780 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «masterpiece» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of masterpiece
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «masterpiece».
FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «MASTERPIECE» OVER TIME
The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «masterpiece» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «masterpiece» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.
Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about masterpiece
10 QUOTES WITH «MASTERPIECE»
Famous quotes and sentences with the word masterpiece.
‘Olive Kitteridge’ is a masterpiece: The writing is so perfect you don’t even notice it; the story is so vivid it’s less like reading a story than experiencing it firsthand.
Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece.
If I belong to a tradition, it is a tradition that makes the masterpiece tell the performer what to do, and not the performer telling the piece what it should be like, or the composer what he ought to have composed.
Of all those arts in which the wise excel, Nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.
Stanley Kubrick went with his gut feeling: he directed ‘Dr. Strangelove’ as a black comedy. The film is routinely described as a masterpiece.
Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant; the only harmless great thing.
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
The work that launched Snohetta into the architectural big leagues was their Oslo Opera House, which will certainly rank among the firm’s highlights whatever else they may do. Although this is by any measure a triumph of city planning, the building itself is not quite a masterpiece, though very fine indeed.
No one wants a masterpiece knocking around when your own book is looking for attention.
Art begins with resistance — at the point where resistance is overcome. No human masterpiece has ever been created without great labor.
10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «MASTERPIECE»
Discover the use of masterpiece in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to masterpiece and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
In Shakespeare’s Secret Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent.
2
Masterpiece: Iconic Houses by Great Contemporary Architects
With an intrinsic ability to see the big picture, today’s master architects are creating inclusive, responsive residential designs that embrace building, site and interiors with subtlety and style.
Chester attempts to write the book after hiding Mâelanie’s supplies, but she keeps finding problems with his story.
To escape, they must overcome their fears and trust God’s love to save them and their marriage. Masterpiece is a romantic story filled with mystery and excitement.
5
Masterpiece furniture making
Geared to both the ambitious beginner and the experienced woodworker, these thirty designs for authentic furniture pieces include a Heppelwhite desk, a Chippendale chair, a William and Mary dressing mirror, and a four-poster bed
Franklin H. Gottshall, 1979
6
The Private Life of a Masterpiece
This companion volume to a BBC series of the same name delves into eight famous pieces of art.
7
Masterpiece Theatre: An Academic Melodrama
«Mysterious assailant has tied a nameless Text to a railroad track … untenured English professor … enlists a group of odd and oddly rivalrous academicians to help her identify and save the Text»—back cover.
8
The Literary Masterpiece Called the Book of Mormon
However, along with its incomparable spiritual message, the Book of Mormon contains a wealth of literary forms and figures of speech containing dozens of literary patterns. the book s authors, particularly Nephi and and Mormon, used …
Your child will be introduced to some of the most famous artists of the past as well as the Greatest Artist of them all. Free eLIVE digital download of the audio book included!
10
Making Life a Masterpiece
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: .
Orison Swett Marden, 2013
10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «MASTERPIECE»
Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term masterpiece is used in the context of the following news items.
Conservator channels Caravaggio to freshen a Cleveland Museum …
… up areas of damage or loss on the surface of the 1607 «Crucifixion of Saint Andrew,» a masterpiece by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. «cleveland.com, Jul 15»
Christian Kracht’s ‘Imperium’ is a Melvillean Masterpiece of the …
Long of toenail and hair and beard, the eccentric August Engelhardt shunned clothing and subsisted entirely on coconuts; he was, in other … «Flavorwire, Jul 15»
Muralist Laura Thompson creates latest masterpiece
Laura Thompson’s latest mural can be seen on the patio of Giant Subs & Deli in downtown Owasso. Buy this photo … «Tulsa World, Jul 15»
Color-Logic and Masterpiece Graphix Address Estate Wine and …
West Chester, Ohio — Color-Logic—developer of the Process Metallic Color System—has certified Masterpiece Graphix MGX 2523 2-mil Bright … «What They Think, Jul 15»
Latest Skrlin Masterpiece Stuns and Provokes
A straightforward visual image bonded to a simple declarative statement and — presto! — more Skrlin cartoon magic. With the magic of the … «Niagarafallsreporter.com, Jul 15»
Union County Brings Shakespeare’s Romantic Masterpiece to Echo …
Union County’s free Shakespeare in the park tour of Romeo and Juliet continues on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in … «Broadway World, Jul 15»
Lancashire church painting is «£100k masterpiece»
A painting which has hung in a small Lancashire church for two centuries has been revealed as a lost masterpiece worth more than £100,000. «BBC News, Jul 15»
‘Masterpiece‘ Seeking New National Sponsor
Ralph Lauren is completing a three-year sponsorship of Masterpiece and is not renewing. Masterpiece is also sponsored by Viking River … «Broadcasting & Cable, Jul 15»
This Working 18-Wheel Lego Mobile Crane Is a Straight-Up …
This Working 18-Wheel Lego Mobile Crane Is a Straight-Up Masterpiece. By Andrew Liszewski on at. It’s time to update that Wonders of the World list to include … «Gizmodo UK, Jul 15»
‘Secret garden’ restored at Wright’s masterpiece Fallingwater
Eric Kobal has spent more than a year restoring the Pottery Terrace Planter. The area is a somewhat secret garden, as Fallingwater visitors … «Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jul 15»
REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Masterpiece [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/masterpiece>. Apr 2023 ».
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На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
шедевр m
произведение искусства n
шедевральный
произведением
шедевральной
шедеврального
шедевральное
шедевральная
шедевральные
Masterpiece
творение
мастера
мастер
киношедевр
мастером
Предложения
There can be no Masterpiece without a Master craftsman.
Ведь невозможно создать шедевр без мастера.
A sophisticated technology package makes it a Masterpiece of Intelligence.
А уникальный технологический пакет превращает его шедевр интеллекта.
But before we talk about tickets, we will pay a little attention to the Masterpiece itself.
Но перед тем, как мы расскажем о билетах, уделим немного внимания самому Шедевру.
The Masterpiece zone is for those interested in modern art and who strive to develop their taste.
Зона «Шедевр» привлечёт тех, кто интересуется современным искусством и стремится развивать свой вкус.
Some time later, the man was playing the board game Masterpiece with friends.
Некоторое время спустя мужчина играл в настольную игру «Шедевр» с друзьями.
You can play Masterpiece nintendo Games everywhere
Вы можете играть в игры шедевров nintendo везде
Just be here now in the moment so that you can assist in the process as Project Masterpiece continues to move forward.
Просто будьте здесь и сейчас в данный момент, чтобы вы могли помочь в этом процессе, поскольку Проект Шедевр продолжает двигаться вперед.
The start of the Masterpiece Era began with the formation of the state-run factories, like Menghai, which is still in existence today.
Эпоха Шедевров началась с создания государственных предприятий, таких как Мэнхай, который все еще существует на сегодняшний день.
Masterpiece of architecture and early Russian art.
Шедевр архитектуры и раннего русского искусства.
Enjoy Van Gogh Masterpiece, a delicious cheese or a walk along one of its many canals.
Насладитесь шедеврами Ван Гога, вкусыйм сыром или прогулкой по одному из многочисленных каналов.
Masterpiece of woody Allen, who, for some reason seldom found in collections of his best films.
Шедевр Вуди Аллена, который, почему-то редко попадает в подборки его лучших фильмов.
Exhibition of One Masterpiece from the Acropolis Museum, which continues the programme of cultural events for the bilateral year.
Выставка одного шедевра из Музея Акрополя», которая продолжает программу культурных мероприятий перекрестного года.
Masterpiece is regarded as a tongue-in-cheek joke that reflects Lichtenstein’s artistic career.
Шедевр считается шутливой шуткой, отражающей художественную карьеру Лихтенштейна.
The tenth most expensive painting in the world is Lichtenstein’s 1962 — «Masterpiece«.
Десятая самая дорогая картина в мире — работа Лихтенштейна 1962 года «Шедевр».
There is only one word for ‘Our Boys’: Masterpiece
Есть только одно слово для «Наших мальчиков»: шедевр
Listed by UNESCO for Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Kihnu traditional culture meets deep rooted motorcycle enthusiasm.
Включенная в список ЮНЕСКО «Шедевры устного и нематериального наследия человечества», традиционная культура Кихну имеет глубокие корни увлечения мотоциклетной ездой.
Are we done with Masterpiece Theater?
Отлично. Мы закончили с Театром шедевров?
This Book is an Absolute Masterpiece.
«Эта книга — абсолютный шедевр.
Secure and with aesthetic appeal, the PRIVATE MUSEUM by BUBEN&ZORWEG is a Masterpiece of German engineering, creative design and innovative technology.
Безопасный и с эстетической привлекательностью, ЧАСТНЫЙ МУЗЕЙ BUBEN&ZORWEG — это шедевр немецкого инжиниринга, креативного дизайна и инновационных технологий.
a Masterpiece of Iberian art is considered as the already mentioned so-called» Lady of Elche».
Шедевром иберийского искусства считается уже упоминавшаяся так называемая «Дама из Эльче».
Предложения, которые содержат Masterpiece
Результатов: 7778. Точных совпадений: 7778. Затраченное время: 70 мс
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Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200