Word or phrase referring to an author's most famous/noteworthy works

I remember that the most famous/noteworthy works of literary merit are termed the canon,but is there a particular word or phrase that means the most famous/noteworthy works of a particular author? Could I use "canon" here too?

Solution 1:

An author's or artist's important work that shows her potential and reflects later development is often referred to as a seminal work

containing or contributing the seeds of later development : creative, original a seminal book

SUPPLEMENT

An artist's most significant work is often referred to as a chef d'oeuvre

a masterpiece especially in art or literature

The group of her or his masterpieces could be called chefs d'oeuvre.

Solution 2:

The most famous and noteworthy work of an author, composer, director, etc. is most commonly known as that person’s magnum opus.

Magnum opus is Latin for ‘great work’, and as the form magnum ‘great’ belies, opus ‘work’ is neuter in Latin. Its plural form, opera, was later reinterpreted as a feminine noun in the singular (since these ended in -a in the stage of Vulgar Latin or Early French/Italian at the time). The Modern French result of that is œuvre, which has also been borrowed into English as oeuvre, used both an author/composer/director/etc.’s entire catalogue works (as noted in Francis James’ answer), and for an individual piece in that catalogue.

Solution 3:

Masterpieces or Masterworks

The singular of these terms originally referred to work of such high standards as to qualify the creator to be ranked as a guild master.

Masterpieces and masterworks should be considered works that meet that standard.

Today, the terms commonly refer to outstanding work in art or craft, as well as to the greatest work of its creator.