St. Patrick's Church - Cambridge Massachusetts

A touch of sadness over another church closing, and unknown whereabouts of another set of wonderful High and Bas-Relief panels sculpted by Joseph Guardo. These four original pieces were sculpted for Saint Patrick's Church at 40 York Street, in Cambridge Massachusetts during the period 1963-1965. Each large panel measured approx. 7'-0" x 8'-0" and represented Our Lord among the Doctors, the Apparition of Fatima, the Presentation of the Magi, and the Ascension.

The sadness comes from knowing that they might have been lost forever. You see the church was closed and sold in 1989, and though we are still researching the matter, no one seems to know what became of them. Were they destroyed? Can they be found on display elsewhere? Are they being stored in a basement somewhere? I remain hopeful but for now my questions remain unanswered.....

On a more positive note, at least the art will never be forgotten. I am including photos of the panels taken in the studio, as well as several original Joseph Guardo sketches. Enjoy the beauty and details of each.

Sketch of 'Our Lord among the Doctors' - 1963

Studio photo of 'Our Lord among the Doctors' before final touches applied - 1963

Sketch of 'Apparition of Fatima' - 1964

Studio photo of 'Apparition of Fatima' before final touches applied - 1964

Studio photo of 'Presentation of the Magi' before final touches applied - 1965

Studio photo of 'The Ascension' before final touches applied - 1965

Brescia Hall - Ursuline College of Arts - 1955

Our Odyssey continues with another discovery. Joseph Guardo did a number of statues for the Ursuline Order, including this 7'-0" statue over the Entrance of the Brescia Hall of the Ursuline College of Arts (part of the University of Western Ontario) in London, Ontario. The statue, Our Lady of the Guard (Notre-Dame de la Garde) was sculpted in 1955 of imitation Indiana Limestone.

We wish to thank Sheila Blagrave, Director of Communications, Marketing, and External Relations of Brescia University College, and Kim Young Milani of Brescia Hall for the photos. They clearly show the beauty and majesty of the statue.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheila Blagrave
Director of Communications, Marketing, and External Relations
Brescia University College

2013 Photo: Courtesy of Kim Young Milani, Brescia Hall

Pietà - Saint Joseph"s Oratory in Montreal

Hidden treasures seem to abound everywhere we look. Joseph Guardo sculpted a spectacular statue of the Pietà for Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal but it is my understanding that it is currently in storage at the Oratory. I think it would be a welcome addition to any Art collection in the world!

We have included photos of Joseph Guardo sculpting in his studio in 1947, and a more recent picture taken by Père André Bergeron of the Oratory in 2006.

Studio Photo - 1947

Photo courtesy of Père André Bergeron, Saint Joseph's Oratory - 2006

Canada Post Shield - Corner of Cathcart and University Streets in Montreal

Time marches on relentlessly...

Joseph Guardo sculpted the following shield for a Canada Post office located at the corner of Cathcart and University Streets in Montreal sometime during the 1940's,  but low and behold it has since (recently) been turned into a Tim Hortons. Fortunately, unlike in so many other situations where buildings or institutions have change hands and art has been lost forever, this particular work of art is still being displayed in all its glory on two separate facades. How may people would be aware that it was sculpted by Joseph Guardo? We have included a photo taken sometime during the time frame when the Shield was installed, as well as two more recent photos (included courtesy of Google Maps StreetView).

On-site photo circa late 1940's

Recent photo from Cathcart - Courtesy of Google Maps StreetView

Recent photo from University - Courtesy of Google Maps StreetView