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vernissage

American  
[ver-nuh-sahzh, ver-nee-sazh] / ˌvɛr nəˈsɑʒ, vɛr niˈsaʒ /

noun

vernissages plural
  1. Also called varnishing day.  the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved for the artist to varnish the paintings.

  2. a reception at a gallery for an artist whose show is about to open to the public.


vernissage British  
/ ˌvɜːnɪˈsɑːʒ /

noun

  1. a preview or the opening or first day of an exhibition of paintings

  2. another term for varnishing day

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Etymology

Origin of vernissage

1910–15; < French: literally, a varnishing, touching up (of paintings). See varnish, -age

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But mindful of the 10pm restrictions, we move on to the next bar: Vernissage.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2023

At 9.45pm, a bartender announces Vernissage is closed.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2023

During Vernissage, the official preview before the Biennale opens to the public on June 12, countries have only three days to impress the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

For the critics who count, "minds are being made up even before they get to the Vernissage," says Burke, who curated New Zealand's inaugural show in 2001.

From Time Magazine Archive

By ten o'clock the night of the "Vernissage" all his acquaintances and intimates in Paris had brought him their felicitations.

From Fairfax and His Pride by Vorst, Marie Van

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