Manganese black is a mixed oxide of manganese and iron. The pigment is stable in acids and alkalis and also at high temperatures, shows excellent lightfastness, and is compatible with all other pigments.
PBk 33, CI 77537As the name of a black mineral, oxide of manganese (used from ancient times in glassmaking for removing coloring matter), from French manganèse (16c.), from Italian manganese, alteration or corruption of Medieval Latin magnesia.From Online Etymology Dictionary
Manganese dioxide (MnO2) can be found in nature as the mineral pyrolusite. This compound shows a similar composition to the actual manganese black.
Manganese black was in use in European oil painting since the nineteenth century (1,2). Black pigments containing manganese were found in Etruscan (3) and even prehistoric (4,5,6) artworks.Examples of use