Tour des Martyrs / Tower of Martyrs - Saint-Célestin, Québec

As part of our journey, we constantly review the limited Joseph Guardo archival data still in our possession in order to document his earliest works of art - when they were done, and what has become of them. We were excited to come across a rare 1929 photo of a beautiful and intricate Bas-Relief he sculpted, and, thanks to the Internet, found that it was completed for the Tours des Martyrs/Tower of Martyrs in Saint-Célestin, near Nicolet, Québec. Our happiness was short-lived, however, as we then discovered that the Tower was torn down in 1975. We can only assume that the Bas-Relief has been lost forever.

Such a shame…

We have included photos of the Bas-Relief and the archway where it was displayed as well as links to different sites where the Tower is discussed in detail. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, there is no mention of the contribution made by Joseph Guardo.

Note again as indicated elsewhere, during his early years, he signed his name P. (for Peppino) Guardo.

Detailed view of Bas-Relief over doorway of Tour des Martyrs in Saint Célestin, Québec - Studio Photo (1929)

Closeup of Doorway of Tour des Martyrs in Saint Célestin, Québec

Joseph Guardo - 'Sculptures 1920-1950' Archival Records

Links to Websites:

http://www.maisonsaint-gabriel.qc.ca/en/b/page_b_5a_c6_06.html
http://www.maisonsaint-gabriel.qc.ca/en/b/page_b_5a_c6_05.html

En français

http://www.village-st-celestin.net/histoire-tour-martyrs.asp
http://www.ipir.ulaval.ca/fiche.php?id=815

Depictions of Marguerite Bourgeoys

Artist/Sculptor Joseph Guardo was commissioned by various Congrégation de Notre-Dame Convents, Schools and Chapels to create works of art representing Marguerite Bourgeoys in a variety of forms such as statues, panels, Bas-Reliefs, and Paintings. He is perhaps best well-known for his wood carvings displayed in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in Montreal of both Marguerite Bourgeoys and Marguerite D'Youville, but there are many other examples that we have included below.

Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in Montreal - Marguerite Bourgeoys wood carving (1959)

Sketch for Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (1958)

Studio photo of completed wood carving for Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (1959)

Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in Montreal - Marguerite Bourgeoys Effigy (1953)

Joseph Guardo working on clay model of effigy for Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Museum  (1953) 

Studio Photo of Clay Effigy (1953)

Wax Effigy on Display in Museum (1953). Current location unknown

Congrégation de Notre-Dame Motherhouse in Montreal (now a CEGEP)

Studio photo of Marguerite Bourgeoys with schoolgirl (1967)

Publication showing completed Marguerite Bourgeoys Wax Effigy on Display at Motherhouse (no longer there)

Joseph Guardo Studio photo of clay model of Effigy

Depictions of Marguerite Bourgeoys for other Institutions

Joseph Guardo Studio photo of statue for Centre Marguerite Bourgeoys in Montreal (1964)

Sketch of approved statue for Centre Marguerite Bourgeoys in Montreal (1964)

Studio photo of Bas-Relief statue sculpted for a Religious Institution in Joliette (1967)

Catalogue Photo of Marguerite Bourgeoys statue sold from Joseph Guardo Studio (1951)

Joseph Guardo sketch of Bas-Relief statue of Marguerite Bourgeoys for École normale de Joliette (1967)

Watercolour sketch of Marguerite Bourgeoys Panel Joseph Guardo sculpted for the École Secondaire Margarita in Verdun (1960)

Joseph Guardo Studio photo of Bas-Relief Panel of Marguerite Bourgeoys sculpted for a school in Sorel (1946)

Joseph Guardo Studio photo of Bas-Relief Panel of Marguerite Bourgeoys sculpted for the École Notre-Dame de Sorel (1935)

Nativity Scenes

Joseph Guardo is well-known for sculpting the major Nativity Scene on permanent display at the Saint Joseph's Oratory Museum in Montreal.

Main Nativity Scene on display

Joseph Guardo sculpting in Studio

Clay models of main characters

Watercolour of Mary (1951)

Watercolour of one of the Wise men (1951)

Watercolour of one of the Shepherds (1951)

Other works of art depicting Nativity scenes were also commissioned by other religious institutions, and for private collections using various media. We have included a few samples below.

Private Collection

Bas Relief - Saint Patrick Church (Cambridge, Mass.)

Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph (Windsor, ON)

Sketch of work found above

Wood carving - Rev. Sisters of Charity (Halifax, NS)

Watercolour

Marguerite d'Youville Sculpture

In 1960 Joseph Guardo sculpted a wood carving (4'6") of Marguerite d'Youville for the Marguerite-Bourgeoys museum, which is displayed in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in Montreal. The exceptional quality of his work can be appreciated in the picture found below, taken in his studio on Rachel Street.

Studio Photo of Marguerite D'Youville Group sculpted in wood for Notre-Dame-de Bon-Secours  Chapel (1960)

Approved Sketch of Marguerite D'Youville Group for Notre-Dame-de Bon-Secours  Chapel (1960

Rare Photos - The art of Joseph Guardo during his early years

Rare Archival photos taken during the 1920's and 1930's showing exquisite samples of his art, completed both while he still resided in Italy, and shortly after he had arrived in Montréal, Canada in 1926. Please note that at the time he was known as P. (Peppino) Guardo.

Film Exchange Building, Montreal - (1930)

Saint Bartholemy Primary School - Montreal (1931)

 Joseph Guardo (to the right in photo) in front of panel - Montreal (1931)

School Pediment (possibly in Verdun) - (1935)

Saint Celestine Chapel, Quebec City (1929)

Set of Reliefs based on the Theme of Seasons - 'Spring' (1927)

Set of Reliefs based on the Theme of Seasons - 'Summer' (1927)

Set of Reliefs based on the Theme of Season - 'Autumn' (1927)

Representation of the 8th level of the Divine Comedy

Dawn or Aurora Allegory 

While managing his own studio in Floridia, Italy during the early 1920's he sculpted a series of panels representing different scenes from Othello that he had made into Postcards such as the one shown below.

Postcard 'recto'

Postcard 'verso'

Tribute to the fallen soldier......Floridiao, Italy

Joseph Guardo - Another Forgotten Michelangelo?

The art of Canadian sculptor Joseph Guardo, who died in 1978, is absolutely stunning. He was an accomplished artist and sculptor with a vast body of work, who used all types of media such as Bronze, Marble, Ceramics,Wood, Stone, Plaster, Clay, Oil, Inks,Watercolor, Charcoal, etc. Samples of his work, of both a religious and secular nature, can still be found in religious institutions, schools, private collections, cinemas, cemeteries, public squares, and on commercial buildings all across Canada, in parts of the United States and elsewhere in the world. It is puzzling to find that his work and reputation is still not more well known, and he has never received the true accolades he so justly deserves.

As a patron of the arts once stated "He could be considered one of the Michelangelo's of our times.....".

Early last year, one of his works of art, a 32' high by 26'6" wide Tableau (Painting on Canvas) located in the Former Saint Louis de France Church in Montreal, was torn down and thrown away by the new owners of the church before efforts to save it could be completed. Such a great loss, especially given that there have been other instances of his work being lost due to neglect, lack of funds, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Black and white image of Tableau behind Alter - 1952

It brings me to this profound question: How can we stop this from happening again and how can we ensure that Joseph Guardo finally get the acknowledgement he is due? I guess the answer is to be determined......

Below I have included just a very few samples which demonstrate the skill and the passion he had for his art. Enjoy!

Cemetery Monument - Montreal

Grouping at the Beauvoir Sanctuary

Statue for public area

Saint Cecile Cathedral in Valleyfield

Sketch of Shepherd for Nativity at Oratory

Sketch of one of Wise men for Nativity scene at Oratory

Private Collections - 1932

Private Collections - 1931

Bonsecours Chapel in Montreal - Marguerite Bourgeoys (1958)

Saint Dominique Church - Quebec City

Private Collections