His Masterpiece Emile Zola - L'uvre ('The Work' - often published in English under the title 'His Masterpiece') is the fourteenth novel in the Rougon-Macquart series by Emile Zola. The work in question is a work of art, with the main character, Claude Lantier trying to painta work of art that truly reflects his genius. The book is a fictional account of the author's actual friendship with French artist Paul Cézanne, and the story portrays the art world in Paris in the middle of the 19th century. Cézanne wasn't that impressed with the book though, and it is said that it caused the end of their friendship.