José Miguel Blanco

José Miguel Blanco Gavilán (16 December 1839, Santiago — 4 February 1897, Santiago) was a Chilean sculptor, illustrator and writer.

Biography His artistic education began in a series of night classes for day laborers, taught by the Italian-born artist, Juan Bianchi (1817-1875) at the Instituto Nacional. In 1858, he was accepted for the sculpture workshop at the , where his instructor was the French-born sculptor, Auguste François (1800-1876).

In 1867, thanks to a recommendation from Professor Diego Barros Arana, he was granted a scholarship by President José Joaquín Pérez, which enabled him to continue his studies in Europe. When he arrived in Paris, he was able to join the medallion workshop of the sculptor. Two years later, he entered the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, where he studied with Auguste Dumont and Eugène Guillaume.

This direct contact with European art was the decisive factor in creating his artistic personality. He made considerable effort to collect photographs and reproductions for his studio; as graphic documentation. His students were charged with visiting as many museums as possible and making note of what they saw there.

He also experienced intellectual stimulation, which resulted in work as a writer and chronicler; all devoted to the dissemination of art. His many journalistic collaborations included work with Las veladas literarias (Literary Evenings) and El Ferrocarril (The Railroad). Later, he helped to create the art journals, El San Lunes (On Monday) and (The Illustrated Workshop, 1885). The latter was Chile's first publication devoted entirely to art.