konstverket

Konstverket is a Swedish term used to refer to a work of art—the completed object or piece created by an artist. The definite form konstverket translates as “the work of art” and is widely used in museums, catalogs, and criticism to identify a specific piece within a collection or discourse. The word combines konst (art) and verk (work). While it most commonly denotes visual arts—paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations—the concept can apply to any intentional artistic creation that is recognized as a discrete work, such as a musical score when discussed as a concert piece, or a multimedia installation.

In art historical contexts, a konstverk is characterized by attributes such as date, artist, title, medium, dimensions, and provenance. Its interpretation may be influenced by stylistic analysis, iconography, technique, and cultural context. Conservation and authentication are important aspects, since the value and significance of a konstverk rest on its material integrity and provenance.

Approaches to the konstverk vary: curators may situate it within a movement or period; collectors and historians examine its reception and impact. In museums, konstverk are cataloged with accession numbers and displayed with labels that explain context and significance. The term thus denotes both a concrete item and the broader concept of an artwork within art history.