A seminal work [from Latin semen meaning seed] is a work from which other works grow. The term usually refers to an intellectual or artistic achievement whose ideas and techniques have been adopted or responded to in later works by other people, either in the same field or in the general culture. Human semen collected on a glass surface during ejaculation process. ... A ripe red jalapeno cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ...

For example, Darwin's 1859 The Origin of Species is a seminal work because an entire field of biology sprang from the concepts it laid out. Furthermore, after 1859, applications of evolutionary theory began to multiply in art, literature, anthropology, theology, and many other fields. In his lifetime, Charles Darwin gained international fame as an influential scientist examining controversial topics. ... 1859 (MDCCCLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ... The title page of the 1859 edition of On the Origin of Species. ... Biology is the branch of science dealing with the study of life. ...

Seminal work should not be confused with magnum opus, which refers to the greatest work of a single individual, and not necessarily to that which has inspired the most work by others. For example, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon can be described correctly as a seminal work of Cubism. But this would not prevent one from calling another work of Picasso's, such as Guernica, his magnum opus. Magnum opus (sometimes Opus magnum), from the Latin meaning great work, refers to the best, most popular, or most renowned achievement of an author, artist, or composer. ... Greatness is a concept that is heavily dependent on a persons perspective and biases. ... A young Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso, formally Pablo Ruiz Picasso, (October 25, 1881 - April 8, 1973) was one of the recognized masters of 20th century art. ... Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles dAvignon, 1907, oil on canvas, 8 ft x 7 ft 8 in, New York City: Museum of Modern Art. ... Guernica is one of the most famous paintings by Pablo Picasso, depicting the consequences of the bombing of Guernica. ...