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Mineral Violet
#8B4B8B · click to copy
Cool
HEX
#8B4B8B
RGB
139, 75, 139
CMYK
0%, 46%, 0%, 45%
Pigment
PV16
Lightfastness
Good (II)
Pigment & Material
PV16
Synthetic
Either manganese ammonium phosphate (PV16) or cobalt phosphate (PV14). Both are highly permanent mineral-based violets.
Origin & History
Mineral violet is a deeper formulation of the manganese violet family — the first true violets available to 19th century artists. Its development completed the visible spectrum in the artist's palette.
Also Known As
Nuremberg Violet
Permanent Violet Medium
Psychology
Deep, saturated, and slightly mysterious. Mineral violet is purple with authority — deeper than mauve or lilac, more accessible than dioxazine. It represents the middle ground of the violet family.
In Culture
The availability of true violet pigments transformed Impressionist colour theory. The observation that shadows contain violet rather than grey was not a stylistic choice but a perceptual observation — and it required genuine violet pigments to paint accurately.
Natural Sources
No natural source — same pigment family as Manganese Violet (PV16). Mineral violet refers specifically to the deeper, more saturated formulation.
Making It Yourself
Mix dioxazine purple (PV23) with a touch of quinacridone red (PR122).
For this specific deeper mineral violet tone: increase purple proportion over red.
Alternatively: manganese violet (PV16) directly at higher concentration.
For this specific deeper mineral violet tone: increase purple proportion over red.
Alternatively: manganese violet (PV16) directly at higher concentration.
Art Movements
Impressionism
Post-Impressionism
Famous Works
Impressionist shadow passages broadly
Degas
ballet paintings (costume colours)
Available As
Winsor & Newton — Manganese Violet Deep (PV16)
Sennelier — Mineral Violet
Daniel Smith — Quinacridone Purple (related)
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Colour data compiled with AI. Spot an error or have more to add? Leave a Note — ekphra reviews and updates.
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