vernissage

American  

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

noun

plural

vernissages

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.

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vernissage British  

/ ˌvɜːnɪˈsɑːʒ /

noun

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

2. another term for varnishing day

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Etymology

Origin of vernissage

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

Example Sentences

In the middle of the ever hectic Salone del Mobile, Ms. Pham and Mr. America’s two-year-old company, Objects Are By, will be staging a vernissage around their inaugural collection, complemented by a new project just added to the lineup.

From New York Times

At 9.45pm, a bartender announces Vernissage is closed.

From BBC

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

From BBC

ArkDes, Stockholm will be broadcasting a virtual vernissage of Weird Sensation Feels Good on 7 April at 16.00 BST.

From The Guardian

If the court instead refuses a ban, Thorleifsson and Leivsgard plan in a fortnight to destroy the painting at a public event they are calling a vernissage, a term more commonly used for a preview of an art exhibition.

From The Guardian