William Rush
Encyclopedia
William Rush 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' figureheads 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 carved figureheads for four of the original six frigates of the United States Navy: (Genius of the United States, 1796, whereabouts unknown), (Nature, 1797, whereabouts unknown), (Revolution, 1799, whereabouts unknown), and (Goddess of Wisdom, 1799, whereabouts unknown). He designed the figurehead for a fifth original frigate, (Hercules, 1796, carved by John Skillin, whereabouts unknown, replaced by a figurehead of Andrew Jackson 1848), and may have designed that for the sixth, (George Washington, 1800, carved by Rush's former apprentice Daniel N. Train, whereabouts unknown).
He also carved figureheads for the U.S. Navy frigates (John Adams, 1799, whereabouts unknown), (Hercules, 1799, burned 1804), and (Captain John Smith, 1822, whereabouts unknown); along with the gun-ships (Benjamin Franklin, 1815, U.S. Naval Academy Museum), (Christopher Columbus, 1819, whereabouts unknown), (Sir Walter Raleigh, 1820, whereabouts unknown), and (Hercules, 1824–37, attributed to Rush or his son John, whereabouts unknown).
, which stood at what is now the site of Philadelphia City Hall
.
The Schuylkill Permanent Bridge (Market Street Bridge) in Philadelphia was adorned with his sculptures of Agriculture and Commerce (1812, whereabouts unknown), William Strickland
's Philadelphia Custom House featured another figure named Commerce (1819, whereabouts unknown), and his sculptures of Wisdom and Justice (by 1824, Fairmount Park Commission) decorated a triumphal arch erected in front of Independence Hall for the 1824 visit of the Marquis de Lafayette. Rush carved a portrait bust of Lafayette (1824, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
) during the Frenchman's 8-day stay in Philadelphia.
His masterpiece may have been a life-sized statue of the Crucifixion, carved for St. Augustine's Church
in 1810. It was destroyed in 1844, when the church was burned during Philadelphia's anti-Catholic riots.
Rush carved allegorical figures of The Schuylkill Chained (1825) and The Waterworks (1825) for the Fairmount Waterworks. These were installed atop pavilions along the Schuylkill River
. Water Nymph and Bittern was moved to the Fairmount Waterworks at about the same time. A bronze casting of the wooden statue was made in 1872.
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. At age 66, he carved a self-portrait
bust (1822), that is today housed in that museum. Wisdom and Justice are on loan to the Academy, whose holdings include a collection of Rush's portrait busts, a life-sized eagle statue attributed to him, and the head of the nymph from Water Nymph and Bittern.
Rush's life-sized statue of George Washington
(1815), long exhibited at Independence Hall, is now at the Second Bank of the United States
. Seven life-sized allegorical figures by him (1820–22) are exhibited at the Philadelphia Masonic Temple
. Collections of his portrait busts can be found at the Library Company of Philadelphia
and the American Philosophical Society
, and a ship figurehead of Peace, at the Independence Seaport Museum
. A ship figurehead of Benjamin Franklin
is at Yale University Art Gallery
. An 1817 portrait bust of George Washington
is in the collection of the American Revolution Center.
The largest collection of Rush's work can be found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
, including Comedy, Tragedy, The Schuylkill Chained, The Waterworks, portrait busts, and the 1872 bronze casting of Water Nymph and Bittern (on loan from the Fairmount Park Commission). The museum's holdings include many of Thomas Eakins
's sketches and studies related to his paintings of Rush, along with the most famous painting: William Rush Carving his Allegorical Figure of the Schuylkill River (aka William Rush and His Model
), 1876–77, oil on canvas (mounted on Masonite), 20 1/8 x 26 1/8 inches (51.1 x 66.4 cm).
Eakins felt a strong personal connection to the sculptor, and returned to him as a subject late in life. In one of Eakins's final paintings, created almost exactly a century after Rush's carving of Water Nymph and Bittern, the painter seems to have portrayed himself as Rush.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
neoclassical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
sculptor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. He is considered the first major American sculptor.
He was trained in the carving of ships' figureheads 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.
United States Navy
He also carved figureheads for the U.S. Navy frigates (John Adams, 1799, whereabouts unknown), (Hercules, 1799, burned 1804), and (Captain John Smith, 1822, whereabouts unknown); along with the gun-ships (Benjamin Franklin, 1815, U.S. Naval Academy Museum), (Christopher Columbus, 1819, whereabouts unknown), (Sir Walter Raleigh, 1820, whereabouts unknown), and (Hercules, 1824–37, attributed to Rush or his son John, whereabouts unknown).
Public sculpture
Rush was one of the first to create outdoor public sculpture in the United States. His twin figures, Comedy and Tragedy (1808), were originally installed in niches on the facade of Philadelphia's Chestnut Street Theater. His Water Nymph and Bittern (1809), was created as a fountain sculpture for the Center Square Waterworks, designed by Benjamin LatrobeBenjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe was a British-born American neoclassical architect best known for his design of the United States Capitol, along with his work on the Baltimore Basilica, the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States...
, which stood at what is now the site of Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin...
.
The Schuylkill Permanent Bridge (Market Street Bridge) in Philadelphia was adorned with his sculptures of Agriculture and Commerce (1812, whereabouts unknown), William Strickland
William Strickland
William Strickland may refer to:* William Strickland , English clergyman* William Strickland , credited with introducing the turkey to England, later a Member of Parliament...
's Philadelphia Custom House featured another figure named Commerce (1819, whereabouts unknown), and his sculptures of Wisdom and Justice (by 1824, Fairmount Park Commission) decorated a triumphal arch erected in front of Independence Hall for the 1824 visit of the Marquis de Lafayette. Rush carved a portrait bust of Lafayette (1824, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1805 and is the oldest art museum and school in the United States. The academy's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th and 20th century American paintings,...
) during the Frenchman's 8-day stay in Philadelphia.
His masterpiece may have been a life-sized statue of the Crucifixion, carved for St. Augustine's Church
St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia
St. Augustine Catholic Church, also called Olde St. Augustine's, is a historic Catholic church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Consecrated in 1848, the Palladian-style church was designed by Napoleon LeBrun. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The church was...
in 1810. It was destroyed in 1844, when the church was burned during Philadelphia's anti-Catholic riots.
Rush carved allegorical figures of The Schuylkill Chained (1825) and The Waterworks (1825) for the Fairmount Waterworks. These were installed atop pavilions along the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
. Water Nymph and Bittern was moved to the Fairmount Waterworks at about the same time. A bronze casting of the wooden statue was made in 1872.
Legacy
Charles Willson Peale
Charles Willson Peale was an American painter, soldier and naturalist. He is best remembered for his portrait paintings of leading figures of the American Revolution, as well as establishing one of the first museums....
, Rush helped found the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, showing his interest in art beyond the American craft tradition. At age 66, he carved a self-portrait
Self-portrait
A self-portrait is a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist. Although self-portraits have been made by artists since the earliest times, it is not until the Early Renaissance in the mid 15th century that artists can be frequently identified depicting...
bust (1822), that is today housed in that museum. Wisdom and Justice are on loan to the Academy, whose holdings include a collection of Rush's portrait busts, a life-sized eagle statue attributed to him, and the head of the nymph from Water Nymph and Bittern.
Rush's life-sized statue of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
(1815), long exhibited at Independence Hall, is now at the Second Bank of the United States
Second Bank of the United States
The Second Bank of the United States was chartered in 1816, five years after the First Bank of the United States lost its own charter. The Second Bank of the United States was initially headquartered in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, the same as the First Bank, and had branches throughout the...
. Seven life-sized allegorical figures by him (1820–22) are exhibited at the Philadelphia Masonic Temple
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdiction Thereunto Belonging is the premier masonic organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
. Collections of his portrait busts can be found at the Library Company of Philadelphia
Library Company of Philadelphia
The Library Company of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of historically valuable manuscripts and printed material in...
and the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
, and a ship figurehead of Peace, at the Independence Seaport Museum
Independence Seaport Museum
The Independence Seaport Museum is a museum dedicated to the maritime history of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley. It is located in the Penn's Landing complex along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The museum was founded in 1961 by J...
. A ship figurehead of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
is at Yale University Art Gallery
Yale University Art Gallery
The Yale University Art Gallery houses a significant and encyclopedic collection of art in several buildings on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Although it embraces all cultures and periods, the Gallery possesses especially renowned collections of early Italian painting,...
. An 1817 portrait bust of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
is in the collection of the American Revolution Center.
The largest collection of Rush's work can be found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
, including Comedy, Tragedy, The Schuylkill Chained, The Waterworks, portrait busts, and the 1872 bronze casting of Water Nymph and Bittern (on loan from the Fairmount Park Commission). The museum's holdings include many of Thomas Eakins
Thomas Eakins
Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins was an American realist painter, photographer, sculptor, and fine arts educator...
's sketches and studies related to his paintings of Rush, along with the most famous painting: William Rush Carving his Allegorical Figure of the Schuylkill River (aka William Rush and His Model
William Rush and His Model
William Rush and His Model is the name given to several paintings by Thomas Eakins, one set from 1876-77 and the other from 1908. These works depict the American wood sculptor William Rush in 1808, carving his statue Water Nymph and Bittern for a fountain at Philadelphia's first waterworks...
), 1876–77, oil on canvas (mounted on Masonite), 20 1/8 x 26 1/8 inches (51.1 x 66.4 cm).
Eakins felt a strong personal connection to the sculptor, and returned to him as a subject late in life. In one of Eakins's final paintings, created almost exactly a century after Rush's carving of Water Nymph and Bittern, the painter seems to have portrayed himself as Rush.
External links
- Union List of Artist Names, Getty Vocabularies. ULAN Full Record Display for William Rush. Getty Vocabulary Program, Getty Research Institute. Los Angeles, California.