Ruby The Elephant (Thai, 1973-1998). Acrylic on canvas, ca. 1980s. A colorful abstract painting created by an elephant. Yes, you heard right, an elephant! Ruby the Elephant was brought to the Phoenix Zoo when she was only 7 months old. When the zookeepers noticed she was drawing in the dirt with a stick, they decided to give her a canvas and painting supplies. Ruby learned to paint and reportedly selected her brushes and paint colors. Most of her paintings sold for $5000, but her most expensive painting sold for $25,000 (source: Graciela Flores, "When I See an Elephant … Paint?" The Scientist" May 31, 2007). A wonderful artwork by the legendary Ruby the Elephant! Size of sight view: 15.375" L x 19.4" W (39.1 cm x 49.3 cm) Size of frame: 21.75" L x 25.875" W (55.2 cm x 65.7 cm)
Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010
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#173138
Condition
Smudges on linen matte, possibly made when Ruby was painting. Painted imagery is colorful and vivid. A few minor stains. A small piece of straw attached to the canvas, perhaps when Ruby was painting. Frame has a few scuffs/scratches and stains, but is otherwise very nice and fitted with a suspension wire for display.