John A. Ruthven Paints Passenger Pigeon Mural

Posted July 15, 2013

This morning, internationally-acknowledged master of wildlife art John Ruthven climbed  scaffolding that spans the entire side of a building at 15 E Eighth Street in downtown Cincinnati to begin painting “Martha” on the mural version of his most recent work, “Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon.” Watch Video from Cincinnati.com

The painting, which depicts the last passenger pigeon, Martha, leading a flock of passenger pigeons, is being reproduced by Artworks in mural form to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Martha’s death.

[SlideDeck2 id=163295 iframe=1]Forty years ago, John Ruthven captained an effort to create the Passenger Pigeon Memorial at our Zoo to honor the passing of the Passenger Pigeon and Martha – the last of her species. He is now collaborating with us to renovate the memorial in time for the 100th anniversary of Martha’s death.

John A. Ruthven with his "Martha" painting
John A. Ruthven with his “Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon” painting

A full-sized reproduction of Ruthven’s “Martha” will be on display in the native garden surrounding the memorial.