Over 350 artworks executed by Russian sculptors for St Isaac’s form a unique collection of 19th century monumental and decorative sculpture.

On the vaults and in the drum are the sculptures of the apostles, prophets and angels carried out by I. Vitaly and his assistants R. Zaleman and V. Belyaev.

The prophets on the vaults at the western end and the angels at the eastern end are shown in dynamic poses; their treatment suggests the influence of 18th century Italian Baroque. The figures on the vaults, in the drum and on the iconostases are made of copper by means of galvanoplastic technique, used for the first time on such a scale in the construction of St Isaac’s Cathedral.

The smaller iconostases are crowned with sculpted compositions the Resurrection and the Transfiguration by N. Pimenov.
 

 

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The decorated with reliefs great doors, which contain a multitude of figures, by I. Vitaly play an important part in the Cathedral’s sculpted decoration. They represent three eras in the history of the Christian church: the Apostolic Era (west), the Era of ecumenical teachers, saints and martyrs of the Orthodox Church (north) and The Saints honored by the local church (south). The figures on the doors are cast in bronze and covered with decorative patina.