A REVERED example of French sculpture is proving hugely popular at Kendal’s Abbot Hall art gallery since it became available to see earlier this month.

The Thinker, by French sculptor Auguste Rodin, is attracting art lovers from across the country during its loan from Glasgow’s Burrell Collection.

Kerri Offord, head of curatorial for Lakeland Arts, said: “Since we unveiled the The Thinker we’ve seen a sharp rise in visitors.

“People are travelling from all over the region to see him, with a few visitors coming up from London especially for the exhibition.

“The public reaction has been really positive, with people commenting how fantastic it is to have this internationally renowned work, by one of the world’s greatest ever sculptors, in Kendal.

“Over the summer we’ve seen a lot of families visiting Abbot Hall, and all are participating in our ‘What is The Thinker thinking?’ activity. Answer’s range from ‘This floor is boring!’, to ‘will Brexit happen?’.”

It is believed there are 28 casts of The Thinker (Le Penseur). The statue on display at Abbot Hall is one of only 10 original casts made during Rodin’s lifetime, with the most famous in the gardens of the Musée Rodin, in Paris.

The Thinker is shown alongside three objects from the British Museum:

l A classical torso from a marble statuette of Venus (c.first century AD).

lRoyal Academy medal (c.1901), showing the Athenian Acropolis alongside the Belvedere Torso.

l Eugène Carrière’s portrait of Auguste Rodin, Rodin sculpting (1900).

The Thinker is on display at Abbot Hall until October 27.