POLVARA, Giuseppe. — Painter and architect, born at Pescarenico (Lecco) on 23 Nov. 1884, died in Milan on 20 Feb. 1950. Ordained priest in 1909, in 1918 he took over the direction of the review Arte cristiana; in 1920 he graduated in architecture at Bologna; in 1921, with a few brave companions, he founded the Scuola superiore d’arte cristiana «Beato Angelico» (q.v.), to which, by his wish, other works were added (assistance to artists, to models, a school of sacred music, a publishing house); in 1934 he drew up the first statutes of the religious family «Beato Angelico».
Among his many works the following are noteworthy: Domus Dei, Milan 1929; Architettura razionale, ibid. 1933; Manuale di disegno, ibid. 1936-42; Trattazione teorico-pratica di principi estetici, ibid. 1936-42. He also actively cooperated with the reviews he directed: Arte Cristiana, Theatrica, Marta Maria, L’amico dell’arte cristiana, earning appreciation as an art and theatre critic. He was responsible for the decoration of the church at Angers and that of the chapel of the sisters of the college at Sarosmo. Buildings constructed ex novo include: the premises of the school «Beato Angelico», the churches of S. Maria Beltrade, SS. Naborre e Felice, S. Vito, Gratoseglio in Milan; S. Edoardo at Busto; S. Carlo and Cederna at Monza, etc.