A private view is a special viewing of an exhibition by invitation only, often 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 rarely true, it is stated to be a "permanent exh ...

and normally a preview at the start of a public exhibition.Alice-Azania Jarvis
How to behave at a private view...
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The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publishe ...

, 10 October 2008. Typically wine and light refreshments are served in the form of a reception. If the works on show are by a living artist, it is normal for them to attend the private view. Artworks on view are typically for sale. This type of exhibition set in a private setting is commonly referred to as the

vernissage A vernissage (from French, originally meaning "varnishing") is a preview of an art exhibition, 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 '' pri ...

References

Visual arts exhibitions *Private view Social events {{culture-stub