Roberson Beeswax Picture Varnish is made utilizing an ancient recipe. The origins of this medium go back to the ancient Greeks, where beeswax was mixed with pigments and applied to statues (traditionally painted in bright colors) as well as decorating ships. The medium preserves colors with a durable protective barrier against aggressive atmospheric contaminants over a long period of time. The finished surface can be polished up to increase the sheen if desired. This traditional approach offers a soft, natural-looking finish that enhances the character of the artwork without the high gloss of modern synthetic varnishes.