A drawing by Rembrandt, Young Lion Restingset a world record after selling at Sotheby’s for $17.9 million. The work depicts a young lion in a relaxed pose, drawn with confident lines and shades that bring the animal’s gaze to life. It is the only one of the artist’s six known drawings depicting a lion to have remained in private hands to this day.
The drawing belonged to Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan and his wife, Rembrandt collectors and founders of Panthera, a global organization dedicated to the protection of wild cats. Kaplan combined his two passions, using the proceeds from the sale to support the lion’s survival.
A historic auction and a new record
The selling price surpassed the previous record for a Rembrandt drawing by almost 15 million, marking the first time in a century that one of his lion drawings has hit the market. A reproduction called .was created next to the original Young Lion Vanishedin which the lion is replaced by a void, symbolizing the disappearance of the feline in much of its natural habitat. Kaplan stressed that the lion could only exist in captivity if nothing is done, and that the sale will provide vital resources to promote coexistence between humans and wild animals.
The impact of sales on retention
The organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, and the funds will go towards scientific initiatives and habitat protection in around 40 countries on four continents. Jon Ayers, chairman of the board of Panthera, explained:
The pulse of life that Rembrandt captured in the gaze of this lion continues today through our field conservation programs. This sale provides Panthera with critical resources to combat poaching and habitat loss around the world.
For Kaplan, the key to success is working with local communities. Rembrandt’s drawing thus becomes a bridge between art, culture and conservation, a symbol of the possibility of saving species at risk through creative and concrete initiatives.
View this post on Instagram
You might also be interested in:
