POLVARA, GIUSEPPE. - Painter and architect, b. at Pescarenico (Lecco) on 23 Nov. 1884, d. at Milano on 20 Feb. 1950. Ordained priest in 1909, he assumed the editorship of the journal Arte cristiana in 1918; in 1920 he graduated in architecture at Bologna; in 1921, with a few courageous companions, he founded the «Beato Angelico» Christian Art (v.), alongside which, at his wish, other undertakings were established (assistance for artists and models, a school of sacred music, a publishing house); in 1934 he drew up the first statutes of the «Beato Angelico» religious family.
Among his many works, the following should be mentioned: Domus Dei, Milano 1929; Architettura razionale, ibid. 1933; Manuale di disegno, ibid. 1936-42; Trattazione teorico-pratica di principi estetici, ibid. 1936-42. He also actively contributed to the journals he directed: Arte Cristiana, Theatrica, Marta
and Maria, L'amico dell'arte cristiana, winning esteem as an art critic and theatre critic. He was responsible for the decoration of the church at Angera and of the chapel of the sisters of the Saronno college. Buildings constructed ex novo: the headquarters of the «Beato Angelico» school; the churches of S. Maria Beltrade, SS. Naborre e Felice, S. Vito, Gratosoglio in Milano; S. Edoardo at Busto; S. Carlo and Cederna at Monza, etc.