artwork
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artwork
A work created by an artist with aesthetic value, such as a painting, sculpture, composition, or literary text.
Das berühmteste Kunstwerk im Museum ist ein Gemälde von Rembrandt.
The most famous artwork in the museum is a painting by Rembrandt.
The word is a simple compound made up of 'die Kunst' (art) and 'das Werk' (work). So it literally means 'a work of art.'
Jedes handgefertigte Schmuckstück ist ein kleines Kunstwerk.
Every handmade piece of jewelry is a small work of art.
In connection with artworks, the verbs 'schaffen' (to create, used of the artist), 'ausstellen' (to exhibit, in a museum), 'betrachten' (to look at), or 'bewundern' (to admire, used of the audience) are often used.
Der Künstler hat dieses Kunstwerk in nur drei Tagen geschaffen.
The artist created this artwork in just three days.
In a figurative sense, 'Kunstwerk' (work of art) is used for anything that is made exceptionally well or beautifully. It often appears together with 'ein wahres' (a true) or 'ein echtes' (a real).
Der Garten, den sie angelegt hat, ist ein wahres Kunstwerk.
The garden she created is a true work of art.
work
'die Arbeit' and 'das Kunstwerk' can both mean something that someone has created. 'die Arbeit' is very general: it can be a finished project, a task, or a piece of work. 'das Kunstwerk' emphasizes that something was made artistically, especially beautifully, or with great skill. The words can be confused when talking about a finished result. Not every 'Arbeit' is a 'Kunstwerk'. 'Arbeit' is a neutral fit for many results, while 'Kunstwerk' fits when the artistic or exceptional value is important.
In der Galerie steht ein Kunstwerk aus Glas und Metall.
In the gallery, there is an artwork made of glass and metal.
Die Lehrerin lobt die Arbeit, weil sie sauber und vollständig ist.
The teacher praises the work because it is neat and complete.