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A vernissage (from French, originally meaning "
Vernissage
The Magazine of the
Vernissage — Die Zeitschrift zur Ausstellung
* Finissage Visual arts exhibitions Museum events {{art-stub
varnish
Varnish is a clear Transparency (optics), transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not to be confused with wood stain. It usually has a yellowish shade due to the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmente ...
ing") is a preview of an art exhibition
An art exhibition is traditionally the space in which art objects (in the most general sense) meet an audience. The exhibit is universally understood to be for some temporary period unless, as is occasionally true, it is stated to be a "permanen ...
, which may be private, before the formal opening. If the vernissage is not open to the public, but only to invited guests, it is often called a '' private view''.
History
At official exhibitions in the nineteenth century, such as theRoyal Academy summer exhibition
The Summer Exhibition is an open art exhibition held annually by the Royal Academy in Burlington House, Piccadilly in central London, England, during the months of June, July, and August. The exhibition includes paintings, prints, drawings, sc ...
, artists would give a finishing touch to their works by varnishing them. The custom of patrons and the élite of visiting the academies during the varnishing day prior to the formal opening of the exhibition gave rise to the tradition of celebrating the completion of an art work or a series of art works with friends and sponsors. In the twentieth century it became an opportunity to market the works on view to buyers and critics.
Related terms
There is a comparable ceremonial ending of art exhibitions, called a ''finissage'', from the French word meaning "finishing". Larger art exhibitions may also have an event halfway through their residency called a ''midissage''. These latter terms are rare in English; they are more commonly used in German and Dutch but not in French.See also
* Private view * Yerevan VernissageReferences
External links
Vernissage
The Magazine of the
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada (), located in the capital city of Ottawa, Ontario, is Canada's National museums of Canada, national art museum. The museum's building takes up , with of space used for exhibiting art. It is one of the List of large ...
Vernissage — Die Zeitschrift zur Ausstellung
* Finissage Visual arts exhibitions Museum events {{art-stub