Bronx County Courthouse
Joe created this sculptured group in limestone. It is on the Bronx County Courthouse, also known as the Mario Merola Building, in New York City. Joe’s note on the back of a photo by DeWitt Ward reads: ‘Bronx County Court House’ and ‘located on Walton Ave side of street Concourse Village’.
Another photo of the grouping is labeled “Justice” by Joe with this description: “Limestone panel 12’ x 18’ on the city and Municipal Court House Lafayette St. N.Y.C. William Laxx and Matthew Delxxx, architects.” The architects names are not legible. The building was constructed between 1931 and 1934.
Some descriptions credit Joe entirely for this work but a history of the Mario Merola Bronx County Building has this paragraph; “The tall rectangular block sculptures by Adolph A. Weinman are largely allegorical, paying homage to the history of government by law through the ages, beginning with Egypt, Greece, and Rome. They were created with the assistance of collaborators and sculpted by Weinman and his associates, Edward F. Sanford, George Snowden and Joseph Kiselewski.”
With further study we’ll discover Joe’s relationship with Weinman who was older than Joe and a renowned architectural sculptor.
The Comforting Angel & Christ Prays in Gethsemane
These unsigned and undated documents were located in 2019 among papers kept at Christ the King church in Browerville. They appear to be rough and detailed sketches for the design, landscaping, and rock work that surround Joe’s two sculptures at the church. The sculptures, which depict Christ in Gethsemane and an angel, were installed in 1932. The papers also include a note that references a “John B drawing”. Was this note written by Joe? Who was John B? Are these Joe’s drawings? The drawings show two alternatives for the size of the grotto. Included in the papers is a hand drawn measuring device like a ruler.
Barb Noland, Joe's neice, says that John B could be local Browerville artist John Bednarz. If anyone can confirm this for us, please contact us.
