Rembrandt’s Remarkable Lion Sketch to Be Auctioned for Wildlife Conservation

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“Young Lion Resting” is among dozens of Dutch Golden Age artworks from the Leiden Collection that are now on view at the H’ART Museum in Amsterdam

Sonja Anderson – Daily Correspondent

April 18, 2025 4:30 p.m.

A newly launched exhibition in Amsterdam features a remarkable assembly of 75 paintings from the Leiden Collection, showcasing the artistic brilliance of the Dutch Golden Age. Among the standout pieces are 18 works by the renowned artist Rembrandt van Rijn, including a notable drawing of a lion that will be auctioned to support wildlife conservation initiatives.

Titled “From Rembrandt to Vermeer, Masterpieces From the Leiden Collection,” this exhibition marks a historic moment as it is the first time that this many pieces from the Leiden Collection—containing all 18 of its Rembrandt works—have been displayed to the public in the Netherlands. Owned by collectors Thomas and Daphne Kaplan, the collection boasts over 200 pieces, making it one of the largest private assemblies of 17th-century Dutch art.

Annabelle Birnie, the general director of the H’ART Museum, commented, “The idea was born to bring all the Rembrandts from this remarkable collection to the Dutch capital in celebration of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary.” She expressed gratitude towards the partnership with the Leiden Collection, which facilitated this exceptional opportunity for public engagement with these masterpieces.

Rembrandt, born in Leiden in 1606, became one of the most celebrated artists in Dutch history, known for his masterful manipulation of light and shadow. His work includes iconic group portraits such as The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp (1632) and The Night Watch (1642).

The exhibition emphasizes the essence of Dutch identity through portraiture, with the museum noting, “The character and spirit of the Dutch people, as seen through portraiture, constitutes a major component of this exhibition.” Visitors will encounter not only Rembrandt’s formal portraits of the affluent burgers but also his expressive tronies, which capture the diverse range of individuals from various social strata.

Rembrandt’s self-portraits are particularly significant, with Thomas Kaplan pointing out that the artist is believed to have created more self-portraits than any of his contemporaries. Kaplan elaborates, “It’s not because he was an egomaniac. It’s because he was a celebrity, and his portraits sold well. Having a self-portrait of Rembrandt was akin to owning an iconic piece of modern art, like an Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup Can.

Interestingly, Rembrandt’s artistic repertoire extends beyond human subjects, as illustrated by Young Lion Resting (1638-42), now featured in the H’ART exhibition. This captivating piece depicts a lion lounging with a leash around its neck, its poised front paws crossed and its eyes alert.

Kaplan reflects on the importance of this artwork, stating that it was his initial acquisition of a Rembrandt piece. The significance of the lion connects deeply with his personal commitment to wildlife conservation. Kaplan, a co-founder of Panthera, plans to auction this drawing next year, with all proceeds benefiting the organization’s efforts to protect big cat species.

Convincing evidence suggests that Rembrandt likely sketched this lion after observing it at an Amsterdam menagerie that featured animals imported from North Africa as part of the Dutch East India Company’s trading endeavors. According to the Art Newspaper, this lion may have eventually influenced Rembrandt’s portrayals of figures such as St. Jerome, who is frequently depicted in the company of a lion. Kaplan notes, “Rembrandt endows the cat with a depth of character that surpasses what many artists achieve with human figures.”

The exhibition “From Rembrandt to Vermeer, Masterpieces From the Leiden Collection” is available for public viewing at the H’ART Museum in Amsterdam until August 24, 2025.

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