representative work; masterpiece; magnum opus
Refers to the most important or defining work of an artist, writer, musician, etc. Often used in critical or biographical contexts.
This novel is his representative work.
The painter's masterpieces are on display at the exhibition.
"Snow Country" is Kawabata Yasunari's representative work.
This film is said to be the director's representative work.
He published his representative work in his thirties.
"Rashomon" is often cited as one of Kurosawa Akira's representative works.