Last Chance To See Bowman Sculpture’s Landmark Rodin Exhibition
Years in the making, Bowman Sculpture's landmark exhibition, "Faces and Fables: Rodin's Portraiture, Great Commissions, Mythology, and Sculptural Innovations" is such a hit that it's been extended due to popular demand. But all good things must come to an end, and the show will finally have to close at the end of this week.
For those who haven't toured this breath-taking display yet, it's time to squeeze in a trip to St James, where the gallery is located. "It was originally intended as a summer show," shares director Mica Bowman, "but we've seen such an incredible response from the public that it has become clear people want more time to visit."
For Bowman, the exhibition was never just a commercial endeavor; "it was about creating something educational and accessible for a wide audience." Although a private gallery, Bowman Sculpture is keen to raise the profile of contemporary sculpture while simultaneously providing an opportunity for the public to engage with museum-worthy pieces.
Auguste Rodin, widely considered the father of modern sculpture, sits within the A-list rank of art masters. Even so, there's an unusual number of galleries dedicated to him across the globe. In Paris, the Musée Rodin has an extensive collection split over two sites, while in Philadelphia another Rodin Museum is housed in a striking Beaux-Arts-style building. But these grandiose examples—beautiful as they are—don't quite match the intimacy afforded to the art lover at the Bowman gallery's London exhibition.
Showcasing over 30 sculptures, each of which has been inspected and certified by the Comité Rodin, "it has taken years to carefully acquire these pieces and curate a collection that not only aligns chronologically by also tells a cohesive and meaningful story," explains Mica Bowman.
"Faces and Fables" takes the viewer on a rich and complete journey of Rodin's career, from his work as an apprentice, to his breakthrough bust of Victor Hugo, to major public commissions including the controversial portrayal of celebrated author Balzac and the poignant Burghers of Calais. We see his distinctive and powerfully emotive style emerging and coalescing. We see signs of his experimentation everywhere, most visibly in his later works that push the boundaries of sculpture and how it was perceived during his lifetime.
Any serious exhibition of Rodin might arguably be found lacking if it excluded his most famous pieces, such as The Thinker and The Kiss. But the Bowmans, who's reputation rests on their status as leading experts of Rodin's work, would make no such mistake. Examples of both these masterpieces are present.
The art market is as enthusiastic about Rodin as the public, if not more so. Robert Bowman, co-founder of the gallery notes, "the value of Rodin's sculptures has increased considerably over the past few decades." Observing this market for over 40 years has given him a unique insight into its evolution, and the steady rise in value has allowed him to repurchase works he originally sold to clients many years ago.
"More recently, I've seen high-net-worth individuals and family offices incorporating Rodin sculptures and other fine art into their investment portfolios," he adds. "To give a concrete example, I purchased a 1930s cast of The Thinker in 1994 for £180,000 and sold the same piece for £2.5 million in 2022." Bowman sees this as a reflection of the "enduring appeal" of Rodin's work, as well as part of a broader trend that treats fine art as a viable investment.
"Faces and Fables" is a remarkable example of an exhibition that has something for everyone, from the casual passer-by to the seasoned collector. Rodin's sheer imagination and his ability to viscerally reproduce human emotion will always draw an audience—his pieces really are magnificent. Yet no small credit is due to the curators. Only Bowman Sculpture, with their extensive knowledge and thorough commitment to the artist's legacy, could have pulled off this show.
