The entire work of an artist is described as an œuvre. The œuvre means all the works and not only those which are given in a catalog, but also sketches or studies on a painting, other works of art, as well as fragments. This term refers to all artisans. If the author’s literary overall work is displaced, one speaks mostly of the total output, which includes the unabridged output of all works or a genre.
The term can be derived from the French (œuvre) and translated with the whole, life, or even creation. The translation thus directly points to the question: what is the sum total of all the creative productions of an artist. This is not a matter of social, moral or scientific achievement, but always about the artistic.
The exhibition shows the entire œuvre of the painter.
The example above illustrates the correct use of the word. This is an exhibition which, in addition to the works of the artist, also shows artistic artistic studies, sketches and unfinished pieces. The oeuvre of the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe includes, for example, his lyricism, drama, epic, letters, drawings, scientific writings, and Goethe’s work on aesthetics.
Difference: Gesamtkunstwerk, Lebenswerk, Ãœuvre
The individual terms are, in some cases, identical to cover and can be used interchangeably in the language use. Nevertheless, there are some differences between these terms.
The work of an artist means all the achievements of a man. This means both artistic as well as scientific, social, but also sports and other achievements. The work of life is therefore a concept which can be subdivided into different spheres of creativity.
The œuvre, also Gesamtwerk, describes the artistic part of these performances, with all the works included. Not to be confused is the concept with the Gesamtkunstwerk. This is a work of art that unites different artistic directions (theater, music, fine art, etc.).
Note on the spelling: œuvre and oeuvre
The Πis a ligature, that is, a merging of the vowels O and E, the volume value corresponding to the umlaut. Such a merging indicates that the letters can not be separated and belong to one another. Thus the spelling OEuvre is wrong. It should only be deviated from it if no Πis available, otherwise the original spelling is preferable.