Definition of "varnishing-day" [varnishing-day]

• A day before the opening of a picture exhibition on which exhibitors have the privilege of retouching or varnishing their pictures after they have been placed on the walls. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "She assured him that she would try to do it as soon as her husband should go to Ronces; but that it would be impossible before the varnishing-day reception, which would take place the following Saturday."
• "“Will you take Annette and me to the varnishing-day reception?”"
• "Miss Snell, who rustled about in stiff black silk and bugles, seemed quite oblivious to her friend's want of taste; she was all excitement, for her pastel portrait -- by some hideous mistake -- had been accepted and hung in one of the exhibitions, and the girls went together on varnishing-day to see it."