PB33—Manganese Blue

Pigment Type

inorganic

Chemical Name

barium manganate + barium sulfate

Chemical Formula

BaMnO₄ + BaSO₄

Properties

Manganese Blue is a brilliant, clear, semi-opaque to transparent blue pigment with a greenish undertone. Its saturation and texture varies across manufacturers.

Permanence

Manganese Blue has excellent lightfastness in watercolor form.

Toxicity

Manganese Blue can be highly toxic if inhaled or ingested, causing nervous system disorder.

History

Manganese compounds have been in use as pigments for more than 17,000 years. The Egyptians and Romans commonly used them in glass-making. The synthetic variation was officially patented in 1935, but neither the original nor the synthetic is commonly produced today, as Manganese Blue has been replaced on the artist’s palette by more intense blues. Most brands offer a Manganese Blue made from Phthalocyanine Blue. Appropriate substitutes in watercolor form are the rare Peacock Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue (Green), or Phthalocyanine Blue lightened by Zinc White.

Alternate Names

Cement Blue, Mineral Blue.