When Thomas Kaplan purchased a small Rembrandt drawing in 2005, it launched two intertwined passions that would span two decades. The sketch of a resting lion became the first work in what would grow into The Leiden Collection, the world's largest private assembly of Rembrandt paintings. Just one year later, Kaplan and his wife Daphne co-founded Panthera, the leading organization dedicated exclusively to protecting wild cats.
On February 4, those two journeys came full circle at Sotheby's in New York, where "Young Lion Resting" sold for $17.9 million—setting a new record for a Rembrandt drawing and shattering the previous mark of $3.7 million. Every dollar will fund Panthera's conservation work across 40 wild cat species in 34 countries.
The tiny drawing, measuring just 11.5 by 15 centimeters, captures a young lion in repose with remarkable intimacy. Created between 1638 and 1642, it represents one of only six known lion studies by the Dutch master. The other five reside in museums including the Louvre and British Museum, making this the only animal drawing by Rembrandt still in private hands.
Kaplan co-owns the work with Jon Ayers, who chairs Panthera's board. Together, they unveiled a companion piece before the auction: "Young Lion Vanished," a replica with the lion replaced by empty space—reflecting the stark reality that lions have disappeared from 95 percent of their historic range.
"Future generations don't need another lion preserved on paper," Kaplan said. "They need lions alive in the wild."
With lion populations plummeting from 200,000 to roughly 24,000 in the past century, the record-breaking sale transforms cultural heritage into direct conservation action, ensuring that the majesty Rembrandt captured nearly four centuries ago survives well into the future.