Genius of Alcohol 2019
Genius of Alcohol is the center panel of Gods of Cincinnati. Atlas kneels in the Ohio river amongst several historic breweries holding up the heavens (or rather, a globe representing the punishments of alcoholism versus the rewards of temperance). The figure's pose is modeled from Cincinnati's iconic Taylor Davidson fountain titled Genius of Water (1871). A temperance fountain, it was created to provide fresh and safe drinking water at a time when it was rare, and to help keep people out of saloons and away from booze. Modeling for Atlas is beloved Cincinnati muralist and art professor Jenny Roesel Ustick.