The light-shielding coating contains (a) a resin, (b) a coloring material, (c) inorganic fine particles, and (d) a surfactant and/or an oil. The concentration of Component (d), the surfactant and/or the oil, is higher in the uppermost layer of the coating than in the lower layer. The content ratio of Component (d) is in the range of 10 to 40 weight % relative to the total weight of the light-shielding coating. The optical element features this light-shielding coating.