In the rarefied world of high-stakes art collecting, Thomas S. Kaplan stands out as a true aficionado with an unyielding passion for Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, particularly Rembrandt's works. The billionaire investor and CEO of the Electrum Group has spent over two decades amassing a collection of more than 220 paintings and drawings, including 17 paintings by the renowned artist.
Kaplan's love affair with art began at a tender age, sparked by a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where his mother exposed him to the world of Rembrandt. The experience left an indelible mark on young Kaplan, who has since devoted himself to acquiring some of the most prized works from the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age.
For Kaplan, collecting is not just about accumulating valuable art pieces but also about sharing beauty and preserving cultural heritage. His Leiden Collection, which comprises masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other prominent artists, has been loaned to museums worldwide, providing a platform for art lovers to engage with these iconic works.
However, Kaplan's most significant donation is yet to come – the sale of his first Rembrandt he ever acquired, "Young Lion Resting," at Sotheby's in February. This historic drawing, which carries an estimated value of $20 million, will fund an endowment for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization co-founded by Kaplan.
Panthera is deeply ingrained in the life and work of Thomas S. Kaplan. The billionaire investor not only shares his passion for wildlife but has also dedicated himself to protecting big cats across dozens of countries. His philanthropic efforts have led to tangible successes, including the protection of tigers, lions, snow leopards, and jaguars.
When asked about his decision to sell "Young Lion Resting," Kaplan emphasized that he wants to raise awareness for Panthera's mission and make a meaningful impact on conservation efforts. For him, art is not just about accumulating value but also about using it as a tool for social change.
Throughout our conversation, Kaplan's infectious enthusiasm for art and his unwavering dedication to philanthropy shone through. As he reflected on his journey, from childhood wonder to adult collector, it became clear that Thomas S. Kaplan is more than just an art collector – he is a guardian of beauty, a champion of conservation, and a testament to the transformative power of passion and commitment.
As the Leiden Collection continues to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant: its purpose as a platform for sharing the beauty of art with the world. With "Young Lion Resting" soon to embark on a new chapter, Thomas S. Kaplan's legacy as an art collector, philanthropist, and conservationist will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
Ultimately, what sets Thomas S. Kaplan apart is his willingness to put the interests of others before his own. Whether it be through his support for Panthera or the Leiden Collection, he has shown that true greatness lies not in accumulating wealth but in making a positive impact on the world. As one can only hope when purchasing "Young Lion Resting," it will find a new home with someone who shares his values – and his sense of wonder.
Kaplan's love affair with art began at a tender age, sparked by a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where his mother exposed him to the world of Rembrandt. The experience left an indelible mark on young Kaplan, who has since devoted himself to acquiring some of the most prized works from the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age.
For Kaplan, collecting is not just about accumulating valuable art pieces but also about sharing beauty and preserving cultural heritage. His Leiden Collection, which comprises masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other prominent artists, has been loaned to museums worldwide, providing a platform for art lovers to engage with these iconic works.
However, Kaplan's most significant donation is yet to come – the sale of his first Rembrandt he ever acquired, "Young Lion Resting," at Sotheby's in February. This historic drawing, which carries an estimated value of $20 million, will fund an endowment for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization co-founded by Kaplan.
Panthera is deeply ingrained in the life and work of Thomas S. Kaplan. The billionaire investor not only shares his passion for wildlife but has also dedicated himself to protecting big cats across dozens of countries. His philanthropic efforts have led to tangible successes, including the protection of tigers, lions, snow leopards, and jaguars.
When asked about his decision to sell "Young Lion Resting," Kaplan emphasized that he wants to raise awareness for Panthera's mission and make a meaningful impact on conservation efforts. For him, art is not just about accumulating value but also about using it as a tool for social change.
Throughout our conversation, Kaplan's infectious enthusiasm for art and his unwavering dedication to philanthropy shone through. As he reflected on his journey, from childhood wonder to adult collector, it became clear that Thomas S. Kaplan is more than just an art collector – he is a guardian of beauty, a champion of conservation, and a testament to the transformative power of passion and commitment.
As the Leiden Collection continues to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant: its purpose as a platform for sharing the beauty of art with the world. With "Young Lion Resting" soon to embark on a new chapter, Thomas S. Kaplan's legacy as an art collector, philanthropist, and conservationist will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
Ultimately, what sets Thomas S. Kaplan apart is his willingness to put the interests of others before his own. Whether it be through his support for Panthera or the Leiden Collection, he has shown that true greatness lies not in accumulating wealth but in making a positive impact on the world. As one can only hope when purchasing "Young Lion Resting," it will find a new home with someone who shares his values – and his sense of wonder.
i mean, its not just about having valuable pieces, but also using them to make a difference in the world. but, at the same time, selling one of his most prized possessions for $20m might be a bit much... like, cant he find another way to support panthera? still, props to him for being so passionate and committed to making a positive impact 
He's not just selling art, he's using it to make a real difference in the world! 
That $20 million is gonna go towards helping wild cats across the globe? 
. He's showing us all that beauty can be a powerful tool for social change 
. Can we all take a cue from Kaplan and start using our passions to make a positive impact? 
I'm so over billionaires thinking they're above the law just 'cause they've got a fancy art collection 
Thomas S. Kaplan's whole thing is about making a difference, but at what cost? Like, does he really think selling that Rembrandt drawing for 20 million bucks is gonna make a dent in global conservation efforts? I mean, I get it, he's trying to help Panthera, but let's be real, there are plenty of other ways to do that without breaking the bank 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to make a positive impact on the world while also sharing their love of art? 
It's like he's creating this beautiful ripple effect with every sale, and it's so inspiring to see someone with his resources use them for good 
.
So Kaplan's gonna sell one of Rembrandt's drawings for $20 million just to fund some cat conservation org? 
, and to fund conservation efforts 
. it's like, what does it mean to be a collector, anyway? is it just about ownin' stuff, or can it be somethin' more? 
.
So I'm thinking, what's crazy is that this guy, Thomas Kaplan, has been collecting art for 20+ years and he's like $20 million richer because of it... but here's the thing - all those paintings are being loaned out to museums worldwide so everyone can see them. That's actually really cool! And then he sells one of his Rembrandts to fund a wild cat conservation organization... talk about making an impact 
. I love how his collection has been loaned to museums worldwide, allowing people from all over to experience these incredible masterpieces 
. And on top of that, he's using his wealth to support a great cause – big cat conservation 
. Like, what's the real motive behind selling that Rembrandt drawing for $20 million? Is it just to bankroll some conservation org or is there more to it? 
, his love for art isn't just about owning masterpieces but using them to make a difference in the world. He's an amazing example of how passion can be used as a tool for social change 
. Not just about buying stuff to show off, but actually using it to make a difference in the world 
. I love how he's not just donating his time and resources to Panthera, but also sharing his passion with others through the Leiden Collection 
? But what I think really sets him apart is his humility and willingness to put others first 
. He could've easily sold the drawing without making a difference, but he chose to do more 
.