Rembrandt's Lion Sketch Fetches Record $18 Million for Big Cat Conservation
A diminutive yet powerful chalk drawing by the Dutch master Rembrandt has achieved a remarkable auction result, selling for $18 million at a Sotheby's event in New York City. The proceeds from this historic sale are being dedicated entirely to the conservation of wild cats through the prominent charity Panthera.
Record-Breaking Sale for a Masterpiece
The artwork, titled Young Lion Resting, was created by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn between approximately 1638 and 1642. This exquisite piece measures just 115mm by 150mm and is executed in black chalk with white chalk heightening and grey wash on brown laid paper. It depicts a lion at rest in a three-quarter view, wearing a leash around its neck, which experts suggest indicates it was likely drawn from life.
This sale has shattered the previous auction record for a drawing by the 17th-century artist, which was held by Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo at $3.7 million. The monumental price reflects both the rarity of Rembrandt's lion drawings and the philanthropic nature of the transaction.
Philanthropic Vision Behind the Auction
The sellers, billionaire philanthropist Thomas Kaplan and his associate Jon Ayers, made the conscious decision to channel the entire proceeds from the auction to Panthera, a leading wildcat conservation organisation they are deeply involved with. Kaplan, who entered the year owning 17 paintings by Rembrandt alongside his wife Daphne, stated in a pre-auction declaration that wildlife conservation surpasses even his passion for the artist.
"I can think of no more fitting way to attract more people to the cause than to allow this magnificent drawing, which our family has loved for so many years, to go on to its next home in service to Panthera," Kaplan remarked. Ayers echoed this sentiment, adding that "a work that so vividly captures the soul and spirit of lions will now help protect their living counterparts."
Artistic and Historical Significance
Rembrandt was in his early to mid-thirties and at the peak of his creative powers in Amsterdam when he produced Young Lion Resting. Sotheby's noted that every stroke of the chalk renders the lion in exquisite detail, capturing not only its form but also its vitality, poise, and inherent power. The opportunity to observe a live lion in Europe during that period would have been exceptionally rare, with speculation that Rembrandt may have encountered one at a fair.
This drawing is one of only six known lion sketches by the master. The other five are held in prestigious institutions: two at the British Museum in London, and one each at the Louvre in Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.
Supporting Global Conservation Efforts
Panthera, co-founded by Kaplan and wildlife biologist Alan Rabinowitz with Ayers serving as chair, is dedicated to securing the future of all 40 species of wild cats. The organisation focuses on protecting the vast landscapes these animals depend on and collaborates with local communities to combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. The substantial funds from this auction will significantly bolster these vital conservation initiatives, creating a lasting legacy that connects art with environmental stewardship.
