Taking credit for someone else's work is not a good thing. But that's exactly what happened. What else could painter Carl Suhrlandt, who had once made a sketch for the equestrian statue, say besides "Hey, that was my idea!” In fact, artist Ludwig Brunow presented three different sketches in 1884 - and one of them was clearly inspired by the first sketch by painter Suhrlandt. 

The artist intended to depict "the Grand Duke in the most outstanding of his attributes, as a commander, on horseback". Well, this design was taken. So, the monument can now stand in the palace garden. The artist, Ludwig Brunow, never gave himself the embarrassment of admitting that he had stolen the idea. On the contrary: the monument measures nine meters in its full size, showing scholars, followers and all kinds of clutter. And the artist did not miss the opportunity to immortalize himself. Per Aspera Ad Astra. Through the rough to the stars.