In a striking blend of art and altruism, billionaire art collector and philanthropist Thomas Kaplan has announced his decision to sell a rare Rembrandt drawing — a powerful study of a lion — to raise funds for wildlife conservation. The move underscores the growing trend of leveraging priceless works of art to support causes beyond the canvas, aligning artistic heritage with urgent ecological action.
Kaplan, widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost collectors of Rembrandt’s works, owns the Leiden Collection, which boasts over 250 paintings and drawings by Dutch Golden Age artists. Among these treasures is The Resting Lion, an exquisite and detailed black chalk drawing by Rembrandt, dating back to the 17th century. This intimate portrayal of a majestic lion is celebrated not only for its technical mastery but also for its rare subject matter — a departure from Rembrandt’s more commonly seen biblical and portrait themes.
The drawing will go under the hammer at Christie’s in New York on July 2, 2025, with a pre-sale estimate of $10 million. All proceeds will go directly to Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization co-founded by Kaplan in 2006 with his wife, Daphne Recanati Kaplan. Panthera is dedicated to protecting the world’s 40 species of wild cats and their ecosystems — from lions and leopards to jaguars and snow leopards — in more than 40 countries.
For Kaplan, the decision is both personal and symbolic. “This drawing represents the intersection of two great passions in my life: the art of Rembrandt and the conservation of wild cats,” he said in a statement. “By releasing this extraordinary work into the world, we are giving it new life — not only as a masterwork of art but as a force for saving wildlife.”
Kaplan’s passion for wild cats has long informed his philanthropy. Panthera’s efforts have been recognized globally for their science-based strategies, collaboration with local communities, and tangible successes in stabilizing or increasing populations of endangered big cats. The organization’s initiatives, such as the “Furs for Life” leopard conservation project in Africa and the “Jaguar Corridor Initiative” across Latin America, exemplify how dedicated funding can directly impact species survival.
The Rembrandt drawing itself is a rarity. Few depictions of animals by the Dutch master exist, and this work showcases Rembrandt’s sensitivity to the animal’s form, musculature, and expression. Art historians believe the drawing reflects not only Rembrandt’s keen observation skills but also his philosophical musings on power, solitude, and mortality.
The sale also reflects a broader shift in the art world, where collectors and institutions are increasingly using their assets to fund social and environmental causes. By parting with a beloved piece of his collection, Kaplan joins a growing group of philanthropists repurposing their art wealth to drive positive change.
Christie’s has described the upcoming sale as “historic,” and anticipates global interest from both collectors and institutions. According to Stijn Alsteens, International Head of Old Master Drawings at Christie’s, “This drawing is not just an artwork — it is a story, a mission, and a legacy. Its new owner will not only own a piece of Rembrandt’s genius but will also be part of an urgent conservation journey.” As the lion, rendered centuries ago with the stroke of a genius, prepares to roar once more on the global stage, the message is clear: great art can be a powerful catalyst for a greater cause. And in this case, the brush of Rembrandt may very well help ensure that the lions of today continue to roam the wild tomorrow.
