vernissage

Where does the word "vernissage" come from? It comes from French vernis, and was adopted directly into English (1880s).

Vernissage’s story begins in French: vernis meant “varnish.” Varnish, since artists once varnished their paintings the day before an exhibition opened. It reached English by 1880s as vernissage. French 'varnishing', since painters once touched up and varnished works the day before a Salon opened. Today, vernissage means a private preview of an art exhibition before it opens to the public.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval vernis "varnish", varnish, since artists once varnished their paintings the day before an exhibition opened.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1880s vernissage "the preview opening of an art exhibition", French 'varnishing', since painters once touched up and varnished works the day before a Salon opened.