The Menil Collection The Menil Collection

In the 1980s, two 13th-century frescoes that had been stolen from a church in Lysi, Cyprus, and broken into fragments were put up for sale. After establishing that the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus was the rightful owner, the Menil Foundation purchased the frescoes on the church’s behalf and financed their restoration. In return, the Archbishopric agreed to an extended loan, and in 1997 the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, designed by architect Francois de Menil, opened. The frescoes returned to Cyprus in 2012. The chapel has since housed long-term art installations.