Antiphonitis

Ben Nicholson visited Cyprus in 1973 with Angela Verren-Taunt, This visit followed a tour of Italy and Greece where he was inspired for a new circle of drawings. These new drawings were imbued with a hint of the softness found in his 1920's work and focused on the light and his mood. Nicholson used tonal smudges within which he draws wonderful curves producing a gentle image full of emotion and personal perceptions. The church of Antiphonitis lies in the Kyrenia mountain range. It is a 12th century domed church and the last of its kind in Cyprus whereby the dome is supported by eight pillars. Located in an isolated area, near the village of Ayios Amvrosios, the church was pillaged and lost most of its important 12th and 15th century frescoes. An international art dealer informed on his ex business partner Aydin Dikman in 1997 for the theft of the frescoes and a police and court case started for their recovery. These were finally returned to the Cypriot Orthodox Church in 2005. Nicholson concentrates on the dome of the church and the arches surrounding it. There is a faint lineal design surrounding the church and pointing to its position on the northern part of the island, at the beginning of the north eastern peninsula. The monochrome sepia background adds to the feeling of isolation surrounding the monument.