William Rush

Here is where I will place future research results on the famous Philadelphian artist (carver, sculptor), William Rush. I intend to update Wikipedia as well.

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William Rush (July 4, 1756 – January 17, 1833) was a U.S. neoclassical sculptor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is considered the first major American sculptor.

He was trained in the carving of ships’ heads in wood. This translated into sculptures that were deeply undercut and visible from far away through the dramatic use of contrast and strong shadows. Rush blended American artisanal tradition and neoclassical form.

Rush was one of the first to create outdoor public sculpture in the U.S. His Comedy and Tragedy was carved in 1808 for the New Theater on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia designed by Benjamin Latrobe. His Water Nymph and Bittern was created in 1809 for a Philadelphia waterworks that was also designed by Latrobe.

His statue of George Washington, carved in wood, is in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Along with friend Charles Willson Peale, Rush helped found the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, showing his interest in art beyond the American craft tradition; his own self-portrait is today housed in that museum.

Examples of Rush’s work may also be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, including “Comedy” and “Tragedy”. The Museum also hold many examples of Thomas Eakins’ models of Rush’s past works.