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