Fortunately for his reputation, we still possess the wooden model constructed under his inspection by a man called Giovanni Franzese.

It shows that subsequent architects, especially Giacomo della Porta, upon whom the task fell of raising the vaults and lantern from the point where Michelangelo left the building, that is, from the summit of the drum, departed in no essential particular from his design.

Della Porta omitted one feature, however, of Michelangelo's plan, which would have added greatly to the dignity and elegance of the exterior.

The model shows that the entablature of the drum broke into projections above each of the buttresses.

Upon these projections or consoles Buonarroti intended to place statues of saints.