Why is there scaffolding on Cincinnatus mural?

Cincinnatus is getting a face-lift.

ArtWorks installed swing scaffolding this week on the north-facing façade of the Kroger Co. headquarters Downtown to prepare for a full restoration of the over 30-year-old mural honoring the legendary Roman leader.

The nonprofit celebrated for its public art program will lead the six-week renovation and work with the Thomas Melvin Studio, as well as the original artist, Richard Hass. The group expects to complete the project by the end of July.

"Cincinnati's active mural program is one of the things that makes our city special. Kroger is proud to participate in Cincinnati's first dedicated mural restoration," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs, in the announcement.

"We're fortunate the original Cincinnatus mural artist, Richard Haas, is collaborating on the restoration of this enduring symbol for our community. We hope this project will encourage more public art activity for years to come."

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The massive Cincinnatus mural isn't just at the corner of Vine Street and Central Parkway – it's in art history books.

Commissioned by Kroger in 1983 to honor the company's centennial anniversary, "Homage to Cincinnatus" is a beloved local icon and pioneer of public art. (It's more than a decade older than ArtWorks.)

But the piece celebrating Cincinnati's namesake is also regarded as a leading example of the Haas canon – and how public art can transform a space, said Christine Carli, director of communication for ArtWorks.

"Homage to Cincinnatus" emerged as one of the most beloved murals in the city partly because of the artist's mastery at trompe l'oeil, a painting style that translates as "fool the eye."

When it debuted, "it would stop people in their tracks," Carli said.

When the feet stop, the questions rev up. Are the stairs real? That statue? Which windows are real? Which aren't? Does that door go anywhere?

The renovation, Carli said, will restore those details, making these moments feel more real and crisp.

The seven-story mural also matters because it tells the story of the city, Carli said. ArtWorks does include the piece in its mural tours – even though it's not an ArtWorks mural – because it is so relevant to this community's history.

And it's not a well-known story. Still.

Revolutionary War veterans founded Cincinnati, Carli noted. George Washington paid the soldiers for their service with land in Ohio. Like those soldiers, Cincinnatus was a Roman leader who took up arms to serve his people, but laid down his arms as soon as he could return to his farm.

Many people on the tours don't know this, she said.

This project could also have an impact on all the other murals on that tour.

Because this is group's first mural renovation, this experience will help them learn about the best way to upkeep the public pieces and ensure the longevity of other Cincinnati murals.

"Our murals are aging as well," she said.