Magnum opus

Magnum opus or opus magnum (English pronunciation: /ˈmæɡnəm ˈpəs/; plural magna opera or opera magna), from the Latin meaning "great work", refers to the largest, and perhaps the best, greatest, most popular, or most renowned achievement of an artist.

Sometimes the term magnum opus is used to refer to simply "a great work" rather than "the great work" of a specific person.

In popular usage, the English-style plural magnum opuses may also be seen. Some reputable dictionaries such as the Oxford English Dictionary record the usage magnum opuses as common enough for inclusion.

The term magnum opus is distinguished in usage from "masterpiece" by a requirement that it be a work on a large scale.

See also

  • Gesamtkunstwerk
  • Great Work
  • Henosis
  • Pièce de résistance
  • Signature song
  • Parvum opus
  • Notes

    Magnum opus (alchemy)

    The Great Work (Latin: Magnum opus) is an alchemical term for the process of working with the prima materia to create the philosopher's stone. It has been used to describe personal and spiritual transmutation in the Hermetic tradition, attached to laboratory processes and chemical color changes, used as a model for the individuation process, and as a device in art and literature. The magnum opus has been carried forward in new age and neo-hermetic movements which sometimes attached new symbolism and significance to the processes. It originally had four stages:

  • nigredo, a blackening or melanosis
  • albedo, a whitening or leucosis
  • citrinitas, a yellowing or xanthosis
  • rubedo, a reddening, purpling, or iosis
  • The origin of these four phases can be traced at least as far back as the first century. Zosimus of Panopolis wrote that it was known to Maria the Jewess. After the 15th century, many writers tended to compress citrinitas into rubedo and consider only three stages. Other color stages are sometimes mentioned, most notably the cauda pavonis (peacock's tail) in which an array of colors appear.

    Magnum opus (disambiguation)

    Magnum opus, the Latin for "great work", is the greatest work of a writer, artist, or composer.

    Magnum opus may also refer to:

  • Magnum opus (alchemy), the creation of the philosopher's stone
  • Great Work, in occultism and hermeticism
  • Magnum Opus (Top Quality album)
  • Magnum Opus (Yngwie Malmsteen album)
  • "Magnum Opus", a song by Kansas from Leftoverture
  • Magna Opera, the plural of magnum opus, the Latin title of the Hesiodic poem Megala Erga or Great Works
  • See also

  • Masterpiece, a highly regarded work of art
  • Opus Magnum, an album by Hollenthon
  • Opus (disambiguation)
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Magnum Opus

    by: Kansas

    (Kerry Livgren/Steve Walsh/Rich Williams/Dave Hope/Phil Ehart/Robby
    Steinhardt)
    This foolish game, oh it's still the same
    The notes go dancin' off in the air
    And don't you believe it's true, the music is all for you
    It's really all we've got to share
    Cause rockin' and rollin', it's only howlin' at the moon




    Latest News for: magnum opus

    RRR on OTT: Where to watch Ram Charan, Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli's magnum opus online as it completes 3 years

    Pinkvilla 25 Mar 2025
    By ... RRR on OTT. Where to watch Ram Charan, Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli's magnum opus online as it completes 3 years. follow us. share. In this Article ... As this magnum opus marks three years since its release today, here’s where you can watch it online ... .

    The most challenging fight sequence shot for Mohanlal's L2: Empuraan was at Ladakh, says Stunt Silva

    The Times of India 25 Mar 2025
    That was the most.'The film, which has been shot at several places around the world, is a magnum opus that has huge expectations riding on it.The film, starring Mohanlal in the lead, is jointly being ...

    Rum Music for March Reviewed by Jennifer Lucy Allan

    The Quietus 25 Mar 2025
    However, I still found time for lots of new releases ... I must be feeling highly strung ... More on ... More on ... More on , ... This album is her first new material since her magnum opus Ocean, in 2022, and you might be asking why you should listen to this over that.

    Renowned Filipino filmmaker among Qumra Masters 2025

    Gulf-Times 24 Mar 2025
    His films, often running for several hours, invite audiences into a nuanced interplay of time and memory, prompting reflection on the relationship between the two.Some of Diaz’s notable works include ...

    Nitesh Tiwari says it is difficult to remake Amar Akbar Anthony and Deewar today: ‘Actors ...

    Hindustan Times 24 Mar 2025
    Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari is all set to make Ramayana with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi ... There he reasoned why it's difficult to remake classics like Amar Akbar Anthony and Deewar ... The much-anticipated magnum opus, Ramayana, will release in two parts.

    The Man Behind Reagan’s ‘Evil Empire’: Tony Dolan, RIP

    The American Spectator 24 Mar 2025
    I was saddened last week to learn of the unexpected death of Tony Dolan, who passed away at age 76 ... Character, Catholic, Mystic ... He was a conservative folk singer ... The magnum opus never gets published ... He had been writing his magnum opus for decades ... .

    Salman Khan's fan sends the internet into a frenzy as she touches his feet, netizens react 'Baap of India not...' [Watch video]

    Bollywood Life 23 Mar 2025
    During a recent public appearance, Salman Khan recently was seen interacting with his fans ... By Nikita Thakkar Published. March 23, 2025 8.00 AM IST ... On the work front, Salman Khan is now looking forward to the release of his magnum-opus Sikandar ... .

    Tales from the Coffeeshop: President Christodoulides, the smartest kid in the classroom

    CyprusMail 23 Mar 2025
    And like a schoolkid, he is competitive, wanting to show he is better than his peers ... PREZNIKONE’S eagerly-awaited magnum opus, The Sycophant, with which he hopes to salvage some of shreds of his reputation, was out last week ... ....

    What is "Intrinsic Value" and how does it relate to Austrian Economics?

    The Call 22 Mar 2025
    The Quest for Value in Economics ... The Austrian approach rests on several key tenets.Subjectivism ... Ludwig von Mises, a towering figure in 20th-century Austrian Economics, built on Menger’s insights in his magnum opus, Human Action (1949) ... .

    What is Austrian Economics?

    The Call 22 Mar 2025
    Origins of Austrian Economics ... Core Principles of Austrian Economics ... Methodological Individualism ... Austrian Economics employs a unique methodology called praxeology, developed most fully by Ludwig von Mises in his magnum opus, Human Action (1949) ... .

    EXCLUSIVE: Prithviraj Sukumaran confirms being a part of SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus SSMB29; ‘We've slowly been...'

    Pinkvilla 22 Mar 2025
    By. Published on Mar 22, 2025  .  09.30 AM IST .  246. EXCLUSIVE. Prithviraj Sukumaran confirms being a part of SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus SSMB29; ‘We've slowly been...'. follow us. share ... Watch the video here. ... .

    Self-publishing is no longer the last resort for literary rejects

    The Times/The Sunday Times 22 Mar 2025
    Once you’ve completed your magnum opus — be it an outer-space murder mystery or a forbidden romance between a heartbroken polar explorer and a dashing Inuit — what do you do with it? ... If agent dislikes manuscript, game over ... Culture. Books ... .

    Box Office: Snow White takes tepid start in Europe, among Disney’s lowest grossing live action debuts

    Pinkvilla 22 Mar 2025
    Written by , Entertainment Journalist Published on Mar 22, 2025 . 11.15 AM IST  ... The Disney magnum opus, which debuted in France on Wednesday, March 19, grossed USD 480K, marking one of the lowest openings for a Mouse House live-action.

    Imam Ali and His Wisdom for the Interreligious Life

    Kashmir Observer 22 Mar 2025
    Imam Ali and His Wisdom for the Interreligious Life. By Zeyneb Sayilgan ... He is considered the first Shia Imam ... Famous Sunni scholars like Muhammad Abduh and Shia scholars like Ibn Abu Al-Hadid offered their own commentaries on Imam Ali’s magnum opus ... Dr.

    Health challenges can't stop Keera Lacock from making DWU women's wrestling history

    The Daily Republic 22 Mar 2025
    MITCHELL — It’s not easy to keep Keera Lacock down ... "I check my phone and I made the national tournament ... "I kind of just shoved my phone in face ... Her senior year was to be her magnum opus, with the ultimate goal of a state title as the final act.
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