A tiny chalk drawing of a lion by Rembrandt sold for a record $18 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York City on Wednesday. This sets a new high for the 17th-century Dutch master's drawings, beating the previous record of $3.7 million. The drawing, titled Young Lion Resting, was sold by billionaire philanthropist Thomas Kaplan and his associate Jon Ayers. They will donate the full amount to Panthera, a leading wildcat conservation charity. Kaplan said, "Wildlife conservation is the one passion I have which surpasses Rembrandt – and I want to attract more people to that cause." Kaplan and his wife own 17 Rembrandt paintings and cherish this drawing, which holds special meaning for both him and Ayers. Ayers added, "A work that so vividly captures the soul and spirit of lions … now will help protect their living counterparts." Sotheby's described the drawing as showing a lion at rest, with a leash around its neck, suggesting Rembrandt sketched it from life. The artist made only six lion drawings known today, housed in major museums like the British Museum, the Louvre, and the Rijksmuseum. Kaplan co-founded Panthera with wildlife biologist Alan Rabinowitz, and Ayers chairs the organization. Panthera focuses on protecting 40 species of wild cats and their habitats while fighting poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, often working closely with local communities.