there are lots of bishops holding churches and kings holding castles in their hands from all ages... both in paintings and sculpture

right now i remember Hugues Libergier's tomb ... "who in 1231 began the construction of the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise in Reims":

too old... the one I'm looking for is similar to this:

http://www.sophiainstitute.com/client/email_ads/email_images/st_thomas_aquinas.gif

Could it be Giotto's Last Judgement?

http://www.lib-art.com/imgpainting/4/2/10724-last-judgment-giotto-di-bondone.jpg

The gentleman holding a model of the chapel is Enrico Scrovegni.

Chances are it isn't an architect if it was pre-renaissance. Prior to the tableaus of the cinquecento the iconography of a model of the church in the hand of an attendant at an altarpiece was the sign of the sponsor of the church. So unfortunately for you, there are nearly as many such images as there are churches in europe.

Did you try asking the professor?

Thanks for all the help! I still haven't found the image I am in search of, but will eventually I suppose.

mespellrong: I'd ask the prof. but that was well over 10 years ago and I don't think he is still teaching... the other information you provided was very helpful though. Did you/do you study art history?

I did, I do, and I teach it.

Interesting... where do you study and teach?