How Do Paintings Survive For Centuries Without Rotting?

Imagine your favorite crayon drawing left in the sun for a hundred years. It might fade or get brittle, right? Paintings are similar but much tougher because of what they are made from.

Artists mix pigments which are like tiny colored rocks with oil that acts as a strong glue. This oil gets hard over time like butter turning into cheese. It becomes waterproof and stops dirt from getting inside.

Some paints crack because they dry too fast or if the wood behind them moves. Good painters use many thin layers so each one dries properly. They also add a shiny coat called varnish to protect it from air and bugs. Think of it like putting plastic wrap on your toast so it stays fresh longer.