William Rush - American artist

William Rush (1756 - 1833) was a U.S. neoclassical sculptor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is measured the first major American sculptor.

He was qualified in the carving of ships’ heads in wood. This translates into sculptures that were deeply undercut and able to be seen from far away through the dramatic use of contrast and strong shadows. Rush blended American artisan tradition and neoclassical form.

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

His statue of George Washington, imprinted in wood, is in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Rush helped found the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, viewing his interest in art beyond the American craft tradition.

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