varnishing day

American  

noun

1. vernissage.

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varnishing day British  

noun

1. (at an exhibition of paintings) the day before the opening when artists may varnish or retouch their pictures after they have been hung

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Etymology

Origin of varnishing day

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Last week this melon was cut and on a crowded varnishing day the 112th exhibition of the National Academy of Design opened.

From Time Magazine Archive

Daudet has described a Salon on varnishing day with his accustomed facile, febrile skill; you feel that it comes from Goncourt and Zola.

From Promenades of an Impressionist by Huneker, James

"Just an old admission ticket to varnishing day at the spring exhibit of the American Society of Painters," said Jack easily.

From No. 13 Washington Square by Scott, Leroy

None of those discerning critics who stalk the galleries on varnishing day could have passed a canvas such as this without bending their rusty knees at least one creak in humble reverence.

From Sunlight Patch by Harris, Credo Fitch

On the varnishing day it was sold to a dealer for two thousand francs.

From Fragments of an Autobiography by Moscheles, Felix