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Figure 2. The inner dome of St. Evphemianos, where Christ is depicted

Figure 3. Lysi apse in situ (before its removal); photo ca. 1972 (detail). a) Virgin and Christ Emanuel; (b) Lysi apse fragment, after removal of smugglers’ crude facing, photo 1984.

Figure 4. (a): Art restorer Laurence J. Morroco working on the dome made of Styrofoam; he had to recreate the curvature of the dome without being in the possession of any measurements. Digital imaging helped in this process; (b): Morroco gluing together the pieces of fresco inside the larger dome.

Figure 5. On the breast of the Virgin the infant Christ (Emanuel) is rendered in a <i>mando</i><i>rla/</i>medallion. This type of representation symbolizes his Incarnation.

Figure 6. In the apse the Virgin is flanked by the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Before going back to Cyprus in 2012, the frescoes were on display in the Byzantine Fresco Chapel at 4011 Yupon Street, Houston, Texas, near the University of St. Thomas. The Fresco Chapel is a part of the Menil Collection together with the famous Capela Rotho, which is nearby, at 3900 Yupon Street.

Figure 7. a) Lysi dome (details). The removal from the painted surface of the opaque gauze and clear paper facings (‘ragboard peg system’). These fragments of the frescoes belong to the outer dome.