Masterpiece in the making

Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and, according to Vasari, completed it in four years.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 to repaint the ceiling, originally representing golden stars on a blue sky; the work was completed between 1508 and 1 November 1512. He painted the Last Judgment over the altar, between 1535 and 1541, being commissioned by Pope Paul III Farnese.

The Tāj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648.

Wikipedia, February 2007


What nominates a masterpiece to that highly esteemed position? What makes a simple idea into the ultimate creation? I would venture to say time. Years of thinking and rethinking. Doing and redoing. Painstaking precision and detail. Plain old work!

But finally, when the artist has completed his masterpiece....
...When the architect has concluded his design...

We stand in awe.
We travel thousands of miles to see it. We study it. We write about it in our history books. We teach our children about it.

Why? It's a masterpiece. It is the greatest work of it's kind; completed with masterly skill.
A consummate example of great technique and excellence.


So know and understand, this could take years. Just wait. We are simply masterpieces in the making.