Gezicht op de Izaäkkathedraal in Sint-Petersburg c. 1850 - 1880

Here we see a photographic view of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, captured by Albert Felisch. Dominating the image, the cathedral's dome is a powerful symbol deeply rooted in architectural history. The dome, in its essence, has long served as a visual metaphor for the heavens, a sacred canopy sheltering the earthly realm. We see echoes of this in the Pantheon in Rome, where the oculus invites celestial light, or in the Hagia Sophia, where the dome seems to float ethereally above the congregation. Yet, in St. Isaac's, this symbol takes on a distinct character, reflecting the aspirations of Imperial Russia. The monumentality speaks not only to spiritual transcendence but also to earthly power and imperial ambition. It is a manifestation of collective memory, of the human drive to reach for the heavens while simultaneously asserting dominion on earth. The cyclical recurrence of the dome reminds us of the continuous dialogue between cultural forms across time.