The Lion's Share

SALE OF RARE REMBRANDT HELPS WORLD'S WILD CATS

On 4th February 2026, Sothebys in New York, oversaw the recrod $18 million sale of a drawing by Rembrandt of a lion, with all proceeds going to Panthera, a global wild cat conservation charity exclusively devoted to the protection of the world's 40 species of wild cats. The sale of the drawing, in celebration of Panthera's 20th anniversary is just one of 6 sketches Rembrandt made of the lion and reached a historic record for an 'Old Master'.

The 4.5in-tall work entitled 'Young Lion Resting' (c1638-42) depicts a lion at rest, whilst wearing a leash around its neck, "suggesting it was drawn from life", the auction house said in a statement. Itwas also the only one to have been co-owned privately. Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan is not only a Rembrandt collector but also the founder of Panthera, which is also now chaired by the drawing's other previous co-owner, Jon Ayer. Jon said:

"The pulse of life that Rembrandt captured in this lion's gaze continues to beat today through our conservation field programs. This sale provides Panthera with critical resources to combat poaching and habitat loss globally, ensuring that the majesty Rembrandt admired in the 17th century survives well into the 21st and beyond."

Dr Kaplan added "We probably spend 80% of our time working with people to ensure that we've protected them from the human-animal conflict that usually precedes the slaughter of the animals. If people don't have to kill lions, usually they don't, but if all of your material wellbeing is wrapped up in a cow or a goat, you're not going to take that loss stoically."

As well as lions Panthera protects tigers, jaguars, leopards, pumas, cheetahs, snow leopards and small cats and their habitats and in addition to developing local partnerships they work with government agencies and counter wildlife-crime information hubs in order to combat the cats greatest threats and bring lasting change.

(Pic credit top: Panthera, Pic credit bottom:Wikileaks)