vernissage

[ ver-nuh-sahzh; French ver-nee-sazh ]

noun

, plural ver·nis·sages [ver-n, uh, -, sah, -zhiz, ve, r, -nee-, sazh].

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

/ ˌvɜːnɪˈsɑːʒ /

noun

1. a preview or the opening or first day of an exhibition of paintings
2. another term for varnishing day

Word History and Origins

Origin of vernissage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vernissage¹

French, from vernis varnish

Example Sentences

One of these nations is Israel, and in the weeks before the vernissage an activist group calling itself the “Art Not Genocide Alliance” had petitioned the show’s organizers to exclude Israel from participating.

From New York Times

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

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

From BBC

At 9.45pm, a bartender announces Vernissage is closed.

From BBC

It was the week before the Biennale opened to the public, the so-called vernissage, when art-world insiders and cultural aristocrats descend upon the Floating City’s canals, palazzos and hotel rooftops to overdose on Aperol and art.

From New York Times