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