Talk:William Rush (sculptor)

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GENIUS of AMERICA GENIUS of UNITED STATES Figurehead for the frigate USS UNITED STATES

carved by William Rush

    The figurehead for the USS UNITED STATES was described in William Bell Clark's "The Gallant John Barry". According to "a spectator", She is crest with a Constellation, her hair and drapery flowing, Suspended to the ringlets of hair, which fall or wave over her Breast and reclining in her bosom, is the portrait of her favorite son, GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; her waist bound with a Civic Band. In her Right hand, which is advanced, she holds a spear, suspended to which is a Belt of Wampum, containing the Emblems of Peace and War. On her left side is a Tablet, which supports three large volumes which relates to the three Branches of Government; the Scale, emblematic of Justice, blended with them. The Left hand suspends the Constitution over the Books, &c. on the Tablet, the EAGLE with his wings half extended, with the Escutcheons, &c. of the ARMS of the UNITED STATES, on the Right, designates the figure. The attributes COMMERCE and AGRICULTURE, and a modest position of the ARTS and SCIENCES."

[NOTE by Edward C. Zimmerman, Jr., 20March2014]

    To the date of 2013, this discussion about the figurehead there are no known sketched or drawings as to what this looked like. There are several renditions by artists of the frigate showing the existence of the figurehead at a distance but none show very many significant features with clarity.

    Preceding the description of the figurehead in Clark's work on Barry, it was described as a majestic and great female figure in awe of the viewers below her while the figurehead towered them a good 40 feet above.

GENIUS of AMERICA on United States Capital Building — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.193.5.91 (talk) 14:32, 19 June 2014 (UTC)[reply]