How did St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg get a mini copy?
Did you know there are actually two St. Isaac's Cathedrals? No kidding. On one of the high reliefs decorating the porticoes of the cathedral, you can see a small model of it held in the hands of a man in a toga.
The ‘St. Isaac of Dalmatia blessing Emperor Theodosius’ sculptural composition was created by sculptor Ivan Vitali. He placed among the witnesses of this scene… Auguste de Montferrand, the author of the project of St. Isaac's Cathedral holding a model of the cathedral in his hands.
Vitali depicted him in a toga and with his head held high. The portrait resemblance was striking. It is known that Auguste de Montferrand wanted to be buried in St. Isaac's Cathedral. But, Alexander II did not give him permission, because the architect was a Catholic. However, memories of him and his main brainchild have, nonetheless, remained on the facade of the cathedral.