LONDON.- Robert Bowman announces the launch of his new gallery Bowman Sculpture. Based at no. 6 Duke Street St James's in the heart of London's art world, the gallery is the foremost dealership in the world for sculpture by Auguste Rodin.

The spectacular new space is in excess of 2000 square feet. Beautifully refurbished, the gallery is set over two floors and is located directly opposite Christie's auctioneers.

Bowman Sculpture will be launching the new space with an exhibition of the finest European sculpture from the mid 19th century to the present day. Exhibited works will include Rodin's masterpieces 'Eternal Spring’ and 'The Thinker' alongside an exceptional early reclining figure by Henry Moore.

The gallery is the only sculpture specialist to showcase such a comprehensive view of European and British sculpture from 1860 to the present day. Robert Bowman says “We had been outgrowing the other two galleries for some time.

The new space will give us the opportunity to showcase the work by Rodin which is the gallery’s specialism, nineteenth and twentieth century sculpture and contemporary works for which there is an ever increasing market.”

The launch of the new gallery comes after the best ever year for Robert Bowman. Rodin sale highlights include 'She Who Was Once the Helmet Makers Beautiful Wife' to the Van Gogh Museum for an undisclosed sum and 'Eve' to a private collector for £1.5 million.

The gallery also co-curated two public exhibitions: Hanneke Beaumont at The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids MI and Helaine Blumenfeld OBE at Salisbury Cathedral. Bowman Sculpture represents both artists.

A further contemporary project was the £1 million sculpture 'Tempesta' commission for The Lancasters, Hyde Park also by Helaine Blumenfeld OBE.

The market for blue chip sculpture has gone from strength to strength. Record prices for Rodin, Moore and Hepworth bear witness to sculpture becoming an alternative asset investment. Recent world record sale results include a lifetime cast of Rodin's 'Thinker' for USD 15 285 000 at Sotheby's New York and Camille Claudel's 'La Valse' for USD 18 65 000 in the same sale. In addition the current 'Moore Rodin' exhibition at Perry Green illustrates the increased public and academic interest in these master sculptors.

Robert Bowman says, “International art is a universal currency and we have found that collectors are actively searching for beautiful works by the best artists.”