No products in the cart.
Inside the Studio: The Technique and Process Behind Original Paintings
Behind every great painting is a story — of technique developed over years of practice, of materials chosen with care,…
Miguel José Bordino represents a unique professional achievement in Argentine art: the master etcher who combined fine arts excellence with government service, serving as Chief of Drawing and Engraving at Argentina’s Casa de Moneda de la Nación (National Mint) from 1944 onward. Born in Rosario on September 9, 1893, Bordino exemplifies the artist-public servant who contributed to national visual identity through currency design, official government documents, and postage stamp creation.
As a colleague of I.P. De Luca, Miguel José Bordino brought to their artistic circle the specialized expertise of a printmaking master combined with the unique perspective of an artist responsible for shaping Argentina’s official visual representation to the world. His dual identity as fine artist and government designer positioned him at the crucial intersection of artistic excellence and national cultural responsibility.
Bordino’s career demonstrates that traditional artistic techniques and fine arts mastery can serve contemporary national purposes while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence and cultural significance.
Miguel José Bordino was born in Rosario on September 9, 1893, Argentina’s principal port city and second most important urban center. Rosario, located on the Paraná River, provided important cultural and artistic advantages that shaped his early development. The city’s status as a major industrial and commercial hub ensured access to quality artistic education and cultural institutions that fostered his artistic potential.
Rosario’s vibrant cultural life and proximity to Buenos Aires created opportunities for artistic instruction and professional development that prepared him for his later distinguished career in the capital. Growing up in this provincial cultural center, Bordino developed both technical skills and cultural awareness that would characterize his entire professional life.
Miguel José Bordino received his formal artistic education at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, one of Latin America’s most prestigious art institutions. His academic training was particularly distinguished because he studied under two of Argentina’s most acclaimed master artists and teachers: Carlos Ripamonte and Pío Collivadino.
Carlos Ripamonte provided Bordino with essential foundational training in:
Ripamonte’s instruction established the technical foundation that would enable Bordino to advance to specialized printmaking studies.
Pío Collivadino was one of Argentina’s greatest printmaking masters and a revolutionary art educator. Under Collivadino’s mentorship, Bordino studied:
This advanced training under one of Argentina’s greatest printmaking masters prepared Bordino for both his fine arts practice and his later role in government service.
Bordino graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts in 1927, completing a comprehensive formal artistic education. His graduation represented achievement of professional competency and preparation for his distinguished career. His academic completion demonstrated:
Miguel José Bordino began exhibiting in the National Salon in 1928, establishing a professional exhibition career that demonstrated his artistic standing within Argentina’s premier artistic institution. His National Salon participation represented:
His continued participation in the National Salon demonstrated consistent artistic quality, commitment to cultural participation, and professional standing maintenance throughout his career.
Miguel José Bordino specialized in etching (aguafuerte), one of the most technically demanding and culturally prestigious printmaking techniques. This specialization required mastery of several important dimensions.
His etching mastery demanded knowledge of:
Etching specialization required:
His aguafuerte specialization connected him to centuries of European printmaking tradition, linking him to:
From 1944 onwards, Miguel José Bordino held the prestigious position of Chief of Drawing and Engraving at the Casa de Moneda de la Nación (National Mint). This government position represented a unique integration of artistic excellence with national service.
His chief position involved responsibility for:
As chief, Bordino was responsible for:
His mint role contributed significantly to:
Bordino’s long tenure as chief from 1944 onwards ensured:
Miguel José Bordino achieved institutional recognition through museum representation that confirms his artistic significance.
His representation in the National Museum of Fine Arts indicates:
His presence in diverse provincial museums demonstrates:
Museum representation confirms:
Bordino’s etching practice as a fine artist demonstrated artistic innovation through:
His work maintained the quality standards and professional excellence characteristic of museum-quality achievement with international standards and lasting artistic value.
His government design work required sophisticated application of etching expertise to unique professional challenges.
His currency work demonstrated:
His design work included:
As a colleague of I.P. De Luca, Miguel José Bordino provided valuable contributions to their artistic circle.
His etching mastery offered:
His national mint position demonstrated:
His dual career provided:
Bordino’s currency design work contributed significantly to:
His etching work remains relevant for:
Bordino’s career model continues to provide insights for contemporary professionals seeking to:
Miguel José Bordino (1893-1965) exemplifies the complete professional artist who achieved excellence in both fine arts practice and applied government design. His journey from Rosario provincial origins through elite academic training with Carlos Ripamonte and Pío Collivadino to his distinguished position as Chief of Drawing and Engraving at Argentina’s National Mint illustrates the breadth of professional opportunity available to technically excellent artists.
His specialization in etching connected him to centuries of European printmaking tradition while his practical application to currency design and official government documents demonstrated how traditional artistic techniques could serve contemporary national purposes. His National Salon participation beginning in 1928 confirmed his artistic standing within Argentina’s premier artistic institution.
The representation of his work in both the National Museum of Fine Arts and diverse provincial museums ensures his lasting cultural legacy and confirms his significant contribution to Argentine art. His position as Chief of Drawing and Engraving at Argentina’s National Mint from 1944 onwards represented not only personal professional achievement but also national recognition of artistic excellence in government service.
As a colleague of I.P. De Luca, Bordino brought the specialized expertise of a printmaking master and the unique perspective of an artist-public servant to their artistic circle. His dual career demonstrated that artistic excellence could be achieved through both fine arts practice and applied design, and that government service could enhance rather than diminish artistic credibility.
Bordino’s legacy extends beyond his personal artistic achievements to encompass his role in shaping Argentina’s official visual identity through currency design, postage stamps, and government documents. His work continues to be encountered daily by millions of Argentines and international visitors, making him one of Argentina’s most visible and influential artists.
The artist who designed Argentina’s monetary and official visual representation created a unique legacy that combines fine arts mastery with practical cultural service, establishing a professional model that continues to inspire contemporary artist-designers seeking to combine artistic excellence with meaningful public contribution.
This article is part of the series dedicated to the colleagues and contemporaries of I.P. De Luca, distinguished artists who contributed to the development of Argentine art in the 20th century.
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator