A Passionate Pursuit: Thomas S. Kaplan on Selling his First Rembrandt to Fund Wild Cat Conservation
Thomas S. Kaplan, the billionaire investor and CEO of Electrum Group, is set to auction off his first ever Rembrandt, a rare drawing titled "Young Lion Resting", at Sotheby's Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries sale. The piece, which carries an estimated value of $20 million, will be sold to fund the conservation efforts of Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization co-founded by Kaplan in 2006.
The decision to sell the drawing was not taken lightly, and it marks a significant milestone for Kaplan's passion for art and wildlife conservation. The couple has assembled an impressive collection of over 220 paintings and drawings, including 17 Rembrandts and only one Vermeer believed to remain in private hands.
Kaplan's love affair with Rembrandt began at the age of six, when he visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art with his mother. He was inspired by the Dutch master's ability to break free from classical conventions of beauty and find it in what others considered ugly – real life. This philosophy has driven Kaplan's collecting journey, which has seen him acquire a staggering 18 Rembrandts over the past two decades.
The sale of "Young Lion Resting" will not only bring significant funds for Panthera but also serve as a platform to raise awareness for the organization's mission. Kaplan has stated that he hopes the buyer will be someone with whom he would like to have dinner, highlighting his commitment to using art as a means of building connections and fostering understanding.
The Leiden Collection, which consists of paintings and drawings by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters, is already making waves in the art world. The collection has been exhibited at some of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
Kaplan's passion for wildlife conservation began early, and it led him to co-found Panthera with Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. The organization works tirelessly to protect 40 different species of wild cats, focusing on the "big seven" – tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, mountain lions, cheetahs, and snow leopards.
In many ways, the Leiden Collection has become an independent entity, circulating through museums on loan and functioning much like a foundation. However, Kaplan remains open to different models, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined parameters to ensure the collection's mission is preserved.
The sale of "Young Lion Resting" marks a significant moment for Kaplan's legacy as an art collector and philanthropist. By using his passion for art to fund the conservation efforts of Panthera, he is not only leaving a lasting impact on the world but also setting a precedent for future generations of collectors and philanthropists.
Thomas S. Kaplan, the billionaire investor and CEO of Electrum Group, is set to auction off his first ever Rembrandt, a rare drawing titled "Young Lion Resting", at Sotheby's Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries sale. The piece, which carries an estimated value of $20 million, will be sold to fund the conservation efforts of Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization co-founded by Kaplan in 2006.
The decision to sell the drawing was not taken lightly, and it marks a significant milestone for Kaplan's passion for art and wildlife conservation. The couple has assembled an impressive collection of over 220 paintings and drawings, including 17 Rembrandts and only one Vermeer believed to remain in private hands.
Kaplan's love affair with Rembrandt began at the age of six, when he visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art with his mother. He was inspired by the Dutch master's ability to break free from classical conventions of beauty and find it in what others considered ugly – real life. This philosophy has driven Kaplan's collecting journey, which has seen him acquire a staggering 18 Rembrandts over the past two decades.
The sale of "Young Lion Resting" will not only bring significant funds for Panthera but also serve as a platform to raise awareness for the organization's mission. Kaplan has stated that he hopes the buyer will be someone with whom he would like to have dinner, highlighting his commitment to using art as a means of building connections and fostering understanding.
The Leiden Collection, which consists of paintings and drawings by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters, is already making waves in the art world. The collection has been exhibited at some of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
Kaplan's passion for wildlife conservation began early, and it led him to co-found Panthera with Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. The organization works tirelessly to protect 40 different species of wild cats, focusing on the "big seven" – tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, mountain lions, cheetahs, and snow leopards.
In many ways, the Leiden Collection has become an independent entity, circulating through museums on loan and functioning much like a foundation. However, Kaplan remains open to different models, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined parameters to ensure the collection's mission is preserved.
The sale of "Young Lion Resting" marks a significant moment for Kaplan's legacy as an art collector and philanthropist. By using his passion for art to fund the conservation efforts of Panthera, he is not only leaving a lasting impact on the world but also setting a precedent for future generations of collectors and philanthropists.
for kaplan's org it really matters what kinda buyer gets that rembrandt, doesnt wanna be some collector who just buys art 4 status 
but at the same time gotta give props to kaplan for makin' a move like this, shows he's willin 2 put his money where his heart is 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to own a piece that was inspired by a young lion resting? But what I find really cool is how he's using his wealth and passion to support conservation efforts for wild cats 
. It's great to see someone making a positive impact through their collecting journey. The fact that the Leiden Collection has been exhibited in some of the world's top museums is pretty impressive too 
. Maybe this sale will attract even more attention and help raise awareness for Panthera's mission, and who knows, maybe we'll see more private collectors getting involved in conservation efforts 
.
. He's been collecting art for ages, and now he's using it to make a difference too. That's really cool! 
, i mean selling a Rembrandt to fund wild cat conservation? That's next level 
! The fact that he wants the buyer to be someone he'd like to have dinner with shows how genuine he is about his passion for both art and wildlife conservation 
.
. We need more people like Kaplan who are using their resources to make a positive impact on the world 
. The sale of "Young Lion Resting" might be a big deal, but it's just the beginning for this incredible philanthropist 
I've got some art pieces myself, they're just a bunch of random prints and posters from my university days. But hey, to each their own, right? 
So another rich person selling their art collection just to make some cash... I mean, I get it, it's a noble cause and all, but can't they just keep the pieces? Like, what's wrong with having 220 paintings and drawings in your private collection? 
But what really gets me is that it's going to fund conservation efforts for wild cats 
All those years collecting art and building that Leiden Collection...it's not just about the cash value of the pieces, it's about using his platform to make a difference. And I love how he wants the buyer to be someone he'd like to have dinner with