http://wordie.org/words/vernissage Comments for the word 'Vernissage' http://wordie.org http://wordie.org/words/vernissage#comments 'Vernis' is French for 'varnish'. Oil paintings were (and still are, I think) protected by a coat of varnish. Folkloric-ly, this would take place in the last-minute rush, just before an opening, leading to the 'preview' of a collection being the 'varnishing'. Presumably with the artists friends pitching in. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:24:31 +0000 http://wordie.org/words/vernissage#comments http://wordie.org/words/vernissage#comments A private showing or preview of an art collection. Sun, 11 May 2008 08:19:41 +0000 http://wordie.org/words/vernissage#comments