William Rush

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For the American naval officer and Medal of Honor recipient, see William R. Rush.

William Rush and his Model by Thomas Eakins, a painting depicting Rush's repectful attitude to his nude model

William Rush (1756 – 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.

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.