Biografie von William RUSH (1756-1833)

Birth place: Philadelphia, PA

Death place: Phila.

Addresses: Philadelphia, PA

Profession: Wood carver and sculptor

Studied: apprenticed to the wood-carving shop of Edward Cutbush, c. 1771-c.1775

Exhibited: PAFA Ann., 1811-32, 1906 (Bust of William Rush")"

Member: Columbianum, Phila. (founder)

Work: PAFA; PMA

Comments: Preeminent figurehead carver whose skill in that genre brought him fame and commissions for pure" sculpture as well. The son of a ship carpenter, Rush set up his own shop in Philadelphia (about 1775) after serving with the Continental Army. His earliest figurehead commissions came from the U.S. Navy and from commercial shipbuilders. In 1808 he fulfilled the first of a number of non-maritime commission with his ideal figures of "Comedy" and "Tragedy" carved for the Chestnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. His best-known work, the "Water Nymph and Bittern" was commissioned in 1809 for placement in front of the Centre Square Water Works (Fairmount Park). Rush also carved a number of portrait busts, including his own and one of Lafayette (both at PAFA), as well as a life-size figure of George Washington (Independence National Park Collection). His last major works, "The Schuylkill River Chained" and "The Schuylkill River Freed" (both at PMA), were completed c.1828. Although he never worked in marble, he did work in plaster and terracotta. Rush was an active figure in promoting the arts in Philadelphia, helping to found the short-lived Columbianum and serving as a director of the Pennsylvania Academy. Among his pupils were his son, John Rush, and Daniel N. Train.

Sources: G&W; Marceau, William Rush, catalogue raisonnÈe, illus.; DAB; Pinckney, American Figureheads and Their Carvers, 56-71; Rutledge, PA; Dunlap, History; Taft, History of American Sculpture; Falk, Exh. Record Series. More recently, see Craven, Sculpture in America, 20-26; Baigell, Dictionary.