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  • The Most Desirable Property Markets in the World

    The Most Desirable Property Markets in the World

    Find out which parts of the world dominate the global property market in 2026. 

    monaco

    Perhaps you’re searching for a lucrative rental apartment; maybe it’s a complete relocation to find that dream home that always feels just out of reach. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s vital to get to grips with the global property markets and have a clear understanding of which are the most expensive.

    After the ongoing uncertainty of the past few years, prime residential markets are now going from strength to strength, with prices broadly outperforming earlier predictions. After Covid-19 sent buyers heading for the countryside with longings for space, seclusion, and privacy being key driving forces behind new property sales, the masses are now back in cosmopolitan hubs – and price points reflect that. In the first half of 2025, Savills reports that average global prime residential capital values grew 0.7 percent, while rents increased 2 percent, signaling that demand from affluent buyers and renters remains robust.

    As expected, there are some regions that not even a global pandemic or political unrest can shake. According to a recent report by Savills, Monaco remains at the top of the list as the most expensive place to buy property, thanks in no small part to its abundance of wealthy residents.

    Ranked: The most expensive property markets in the world

    Find out below which other regions and cities topped Savills’ list of the world’s most expensive property markets and the key reasons that buyers flock to them, even in troubled times.

    Monaco, Europe — $5,249.56 per sq ft

    monaco city
    ©Shutterstock

    Monaco topping the list of the most expensive property markets in the world should come as no surprise, with the French principality long regarded as a playground for the global elite.

    But what exactly is it that makes Monaco’s property market so expensive? Firstly, its size: spread across a minuscule 0.8 sq miles (making it smaller than New York City’s Central Park), Monaco is beaten only by the Vatican City in the battle to be crowned the world’s smallest country, putting prime real estate in high demand.

    The ultra-exclusive lifestyle afforded by owning property in Monaco is another major contributor to the cost of buying in this coveted destination. The Principality is brimming with fine-dining restaurants and designer boutiques, as well as a number of luxury yachting clubs – not to mention an extensive sporting calendar. If anywhere on earth has been designed specifically for wealthy individuals, it’s Monaco. The year-round sunshine, wealth-friendly taxes and prime location on the French Riviera don’t damage its immense appeal, either.

    Hong Kong, Asia — $3,720 per sq ft

    hong kong
    ©Shutterstock

    Despite a muted price growth, Savills has reported that Hong Kong remains the second most expensive residential property market (and the most expensive city) in the world, with an average prime capital value of $3,720 per sq ft.

    The density of population is a key factor that makes Hong Kong so expensive, with over 7.5m people living in under 430 sq miles. And, despite demand, new properties are scarce with the city clinging on to its limited green spaces. Savills notes that political uncertainty and policy factors continue to constrain the market, which has seen modest declines in recent months.

    See also: The Best Hotels in Hong Kong

    New York, USA — $2,610 per sq ft

    new york city
    ©Shutterstock

    New York’s appearance on a list of the most expensive property markets in the world is another one that comes as little surprise. The average prime price is now $2,610 per sq ft, up slightly from earlier figures.

    Several factors contribute to the cost of property in New York, most notably the lack of space; with virtually every bit of ground accounted for, the only way to build in the Big Apple is up and air space continues to be highly sought after. Savills also pointed toward rising domestic wealth, border re-openings, and city migration as key driving factors.

    Of course, aside from the development intricacies, one of the main reasons why New York’s property market continues to be so expensive is the city’s sheer curb appeal. While Washington, DC is the US’s political hub, New York is the home of everything else: from fashion and art to finance and tech, the city that never sleeps remains the place to be.

    Geneva, Switzerland – $2,460 per sq ft

    geneva switzerland
    ©Shutterstock

    While the Swiss capital of Zurich has its own impressively lucrative property market, it is the lakeside city of Geneva that has the world’s fourth most expensive with an average asking price of $2,460 per sq ft (per H1 2025). To those in the know, the high property prices in Geneva, and indeed the rest of Switzerland, are a no-brainer. Geneva not only boasts easy access to world-class skiing resorts in the form of the Alps and the Jura mountains but also acts as a worldwide hub for diplomacy and finance.

    However, the Swiss government has taken measures to regulate the country’s housing market, with regulations preventing non-residents from buying in areas that aren’t designated ‘holiday zones.’ Unfortunately, Geneva doesn’t come under this jurisdiction, meaning international buyers will need to fully relocate and obtain the relevant visa to buy property in the city.

    See also: Ranked: The World’s Most Expensive Ski Resorts

    Tokyo, Japan – $2,330 per sq ft

    tokyo
    ©Shutterstock

    Behind the bright lights of Tokyo’s most recognizable tourist spots and financial districts is an equally prosperous – and increasingly competitive – property market. Savills reports prime values at $2,330 per sq ft with one of the fastest capital growth rates globally: 8.8 percent.

    Tight supply, strong domestic demand, and renewed international investor interest have all contributed to Tokyo’s competitive pricing. Tokyo’s most expensive residential neighborhoods include Azabu, Omotesando, and Toranomon.

    Sydney, Australia – $1,990 per sq ft

    sydney expensive
    ©Shutterstock

    Coming in at eight on Savills’ report of the most expensive property markets in the world is Sydney, where prospective buyers can expect to pay an average of $1,990 per sq ft following positive price growth throughout 2021.

    Of course, Sydney speaks for itself when it comes to explaining its ever-growing property market. Its oceanfront location, laidback lifestyle, and unrivaled climate make it one of the world’s most desirable locations to live in, with the suburbs of the sprawling city proving to be more in demand than inner-city properties.

    See also: Where to Buy Luxury Real Estate in 2026

    Seoul, South Korea – $1,950 per sq ft

    Seoul
    ©Shutterstock

    Seoul is now one of the world’s most expensive cities for prime residential property, with an average price of $1,950 per sq ft. Growth remains solid, supported by limited new supply, strong local demand, and a steady inflow of international buyers seeking lifestyle and investment properties.

    Shanghai, China – $1,980 per sq ft

    shanghai expensive city
    ©Shutterstock

    Shanghai continues to attract wealthy buyers and remains one of the most expensive cities in the world, with prime residential values averaging $1,980 per sq ft.

    While transactional volumes have been subdued due to policy tightening and mortgage uncertainty, Shanghai’s standing as a financial and cultural hub preserves its pricing strength.

    London, UK – $1,900 per sq ft

    most-powerful-cities-london
    ©Shutterstock

    Although at one point the rise of working from home threatened to undermine London’s appeal, the threat failed to truly materialize, with the city currently undergoing a bounce-back. Savills reports average prime values of $1,900 per sq ft, noting a slight softening in some central districts.

    London’s cosmopolitan appeal, prime property offerings, strong job market, abundance of culture, and wealth of green spaces continue to support high pricing. The rental market also remains robust, with prime rents rising faster than capital values.

    Singapore – $1,810 per sq ft

    singapore
    ©Shutterstock

    Singapore is a standout for both cost and complexity of acquisition, with prime residential values averaging $1,810 per sq ft. While growth is modest, the city’s tightly controlled supply, high demand from affluent domestic and international buyers, and significant transaction costs make it one of the costliest markets globally.

  • Step Inside the Oscars of the Classic Car World

    Step Inside the Oscars of the Classic Car World

    Billed as the Oscars of the classic car world, the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best brings together the finest concours-winning cars on Earth. 

    peninsula best of the best classic car show
  • Audi Just Teased a New Performance Station Wagon—and It’s a Plug-in Hybrid

    Audi Just Teased a New Performance Station Wagon—and It’s a Plug-in Hybrid

    The automaker inadvertently revealed that a new RS5 is coming. The automaker inadvertently revealed that a new RS5 is coming.

  • This $25 Million Beverly Hills Home Comes With a Trove of Designer Furnishings

    This $25 Million Beverly Hills Home Comes With a Trove of Designer Furnishings

    The midcentury modern-inspired residence showcases coveted pieces by Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan. The midcentury modern-inspired residence showcases coveted pieces by Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.

  • Future Car Launches To Have on Your Radar, for 2026 and Beyond

    Future Car Launches To Have on Your Radar, for 2026 and Beyond

    From electric hypercars to next-generation SUVs and autonomous concepts, these are the future cars set to shape the road ahead in 2026 and beyond. 

    lexus future cars

    As we look toward 2026 and beyond, manufacturers are reinventing everything from compact city EVs and high-performance electric sports cars to luxury SUVs with advanced driver interfaces and even autonomous vehicles that blur the line between car and tech device.

    Just as we keep a watchful eye on the most anticipated hotel openings each year, discerning drivers and enthusiasts now watch the calendar for the next wave of future cars – vehicles that promise to redefine performance, design, and how we think about personal mobility. Some will be radical; some evolutionary. All aim to address the industry’s most pressing challenges: cleaner energy, smarter connectivity, and a more intuitive driving experience.

    See also: Behind the Wheel of 007: Chris Corbould on James Bond’s Auto Legacy

    Future cars to watch

    As the year progresses, we’ll be watching closely for the most compelling future car launches on the horizon – from bold electric debuts and hybrid flagships to next-generation autonomous concepts.

    Lexus ES EV (expected spring 2026)

    lexus es
    ©Lexus

    Following its European premiere in May 2025, sales for Lexus’ electric version of its long‑running ES sedan as part of its wider electrification strategy will start this spring. Expected to sit alongside hybrid variants, the ES EV will focus on comfort, refinement, and reliability – key pillars of the Lexus brand – while delivering competitive electric range.

    The model underscores how future cars will increasingly cater to drivers seeking understated luxury rather than overt performance.

    Ferrari Elettrica (expected early 2026)

    Ferrari’s first fully electric production car represents one of the most closely watched launches of the decade. Built on a bespoke EV platform and produced at the marque’s new e‑building facility in Maranello, the Ferrari Elettrica is expected to deliver performance figures that rival – and potentially surpass – its combustion-engine predecessors, while introducing an entirely new driving character for the brand.

    The model signals Ferrari’s long-term commitment to electrification without abandoning its focus on performance, craftsmanship, and exclusivity, a defining moment in the evolution of high-performance future cars.

    Mercedes‑Benz GLC EV and C‑Class EV (expected mid 2026)

    mercedes benz
    ©Mercedes‑Benz

    Mercedes‑Benz is rethinking its electric strategy by integrating EVs directly into its core model lines. The electric GLC and C‑Class are expected to arrive in 2026, combining familiar luxury design cues with next-generation battery technology, fast charging, and advanced driver assistance systems.

    Rather than positioning these vehicles as alternatives, Mercedes is embedding electrification into its most recognizable nameplates, a move that reflects how future cars will increasingly blur the line between electric and traditional models.

    Hyundai Ioniq 3 (expected mid 2026)

    Positioned as a compact, urban-focused EV, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 is expected to expand the brand’s electric portfolio with a smaller, more accessible model. Built on Hyundai’s E‑GMP platform, it is likely to offer competitive range, rapid charging, and a design tailored to city driving.

    As manufacturers push to democratise electrification, models like the Ioniq 3 highlight how future cars will need to balance affordability, technology, and everyday usability.

    Alpine A390 (expected mid 2026)

    alpine A390
    ©Alpine

    The Alpine A390 marks the French marque’s transition into electric performance beyond its lightweight sports car roots. Designed as a compact electric crossover with performance credentials, the A390 is expected to blend dynamic handling with practicality, offering an alternative to larger performance EVs.

    It reflects a broader shift in how performance brands are interpreting electrification — prioritising agility and driver engagement alongside zero‑emissions power.

    Aston Martin Electric SUV

    Aston Martin is developing its first dedicated electric vehicle, expected to take the form of a large, DBX-sized SUV. While details remain closely guarded, the model is currently slated to arrive in 2026 or later and will draw on high-performance battery and motor technology from American EV specialist Lucid.

    CEO Adrian Hallmark has suggested the brand will lean heavily on advanced tech to set its electric models apart, including the possibility of systems that allow the car to physically resonate with the driver, recreating some of the sensory feedback associated with a traditional combustion engine.

    Ferrari 849 Testarossa (expected spring 2026)

    new-cars-2026-ferrari
    ©Ferrari

    The Testarossa name returns as Ferrari’s new flagship supercar. Unveiled in Milan in September 2025 as the successor to the SF90, the 849 Testarossa is a plug-in hybrid berlinetta pairing a mid-rear twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors.

    Total output stands at 1,035bhp – 49bhp more than its predecessor – allowing the car to accelerate from 0–62 mph in just 2.35 seconds. First customer deliveries are expected in spring 2026, with US deliveries following in the summer.

    See more: In the Driving Seat of Ferrari’s 296 Speciale

    Bentley Electric SUV (expected 2027)

    Bentley’s first fully electric SUV will mark a significant milestone for the British luxury marque. Expected to retain Bentley’s hallmark craftsmanship while incorporating cutting-edge EV technology, the model will sit at the intersection of sustainability and ultra‑luxury.

    As high-end brands adapt to a zero‑emissions future, this launch demonstrates how future cars can preserve heritage while embracing technological change.

    Porsche Mission X (expected 2027)

    new-cars-2026-porsche-mission-x
    ©Porsche

    The Porsche Mission X is a hypercar concept previewing a potential electric successor to the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, with a projected output of around 1,500bhp.

    Designed to resemble an aircraft cockpit, it features a lightweight glass dome with a carbon-fiber exoskeleton and a Daytona-style windscreen.

    Described by Porsche CEO Oliver Blume as a “technology beacon,” the Mission X is intended to target the Nürburgring lap record for a road-legal car, with a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, a high-performance electric drivetrain, and extreme downforce figures. First revealed in June 2023, a production version is not expected until 2027.

    Autonomous EV Robotaxis

    Flying cars might still be the stuff of science fiction, but cars without drivers are already pulling up to the curb. Hyundai-backed Motional plans to deploy fully driverless EV robotaxis in Las Vegas by 2026, giving passengers a glimpse of a future where mobility is a service rather than a possession.

    Waymo, a pioneer in autonomous ride-hailing, continues to expand in select U.S. cities, showing that the self-driving revolution is accelerating faster than most car enthusiasts expected. While still limited in scope, these projects hint at how future cars may increasingly operate without a human behind the wheel, reshaping both city streets and the way we think about owning a car.

  • Road Test: Theon Design Celebrates the Intangibles With Its Reimagined Porsche 911

    Road Test: Theon Design Celebrates the Intangibles With Its Reimagined Porsche 911

    The 964-generation restomod examples we drove are snarling, spritely, and eager to accelerate. The 964-generation restomod examples we drove are snarling, spritely, and eager to accelerate.

  •  This London Member’s Bar is Popping Up in Gstaad for 10 Days Only

     This London Member’s Bar is Popping Up in Gstaad for 10 Days Only

    The Reservation: Harry’s Bar is opening at The Alpina Gstaad hotel this month. 

    the alpina gstaad hotel

    Gstaad’s ski season might be in full swing, but one of the Swiss resort’s new apres highlights is yet to even open: from February 10-20, London hotspot Harry’s Bar will be popping up inside The Alpina Gstaad hotel.

    Harry’s Bar first opened in 1979 by Mark Birley — and was taken over by London hospitality tycoon Richard Caring in 2007 — and has retained its status as one of the city’s most refined dining rooms since. Birley pinched its name from the world-regarded Venetian institution of the same name, and despite nearly 40 years in action, still retains its Italophile character. Venetian chandeliers hang from the ceiling, maximalist Fortuny fabrics cover virtually every surface, and drinks are served in specialist Murano glassware.

    See also: London’s Coolest New Restaurant is Hidden Behind a Leather Shop

    harry's bar signature tiramisu
    The Harry’s Bar signature tiramisu ©Harry’s Bar

    This appreciation for Italy is being transferred to the Gstaad outpost, with a menu of regional northern Italian classics, intended to be shared. There’s the signature beef carpaccio (a dish first created in Harry’s Bar’s namesake restaurant), Genovese-style beef ragù, veal cutlets, and, to finish, the classic Harry’s Bar tiramisu. 

    But, while the pop-up’s dishes nod toward Italian grandeur, the interior style leans more toward Alpina Gstaad’s own minimalist identity. Temporarily taking over the hotel’s Martin Göschel restaurant, the setting is pared back and cool, with crisp white linens, exposed woodwork, and a vast stone centerpiece — a quiet contrast to the London bar’s more lavish look.

    See also: Ranked: The World’s Most Expensive Ski Resorts

    the alpina gstaad harry's bar interior
    The pop-up will temporarily take over the Martin Göschel restaurant ©The Alpina Gstaad

    Another core difference between the original Harry’s Bar and the Swiss pop-up? The entry requirements. While the London iteration is famously exclusive, with access granted strictly to members (and their guests) only, the Gstaad version is open for lunch and dinner to anyone. Making an advance reservation is highly recommended though, and don’t forget your smart slacks and shoes – the Harry’s Bar dress code has been transported to the Alps, too.

    Harry’s Bar’s trip over to Switzerland marks but the latest confirmation that a ski destination’s cultural currency is no longer just in the quality of its powder. Fresh blankets of snow still matter, of course, but so too does what happens off the slopes, and just as much attention is being paid to extra curricular activities — from the standard of restaurants (and their visiting chefs) to art scenes.

  • Dress Watches Are Continuing to Dominate the Market, a New Chrono24 Report Shows

    Dress Watches Are Continuing to Dominate the Market, a New Chrono24 Report Shows

    Collectors are looking for aesthetics, not just mechanics. Collectors are looking for aesthetics, not just mechanics.

  • Is Health the Ultimate Status Symbol? Inside the Rise of Full Health MOTs

    Is Health the Ultimate Status Symbol? Inside the Rise of Full Health MOTs

    Considering a full body MOT health check? You’re not alone. 

    full body health scan mot

    As interest in longevity science accelerates, a growing number of individuals are no longer waiting for symptoms to appear before taking action. Instead, they’re opting to understand their bodies in forensic detail, long before anything goes wrong.

    Enter the full body MOT health check. Often unavailable through public healthcare systems and rarely offered as part of routine primary care, these comprehensive assessments sit at the intersection of preventative medicine, performance optimization and personalized longevity planning. While standard medical check-ups typically assess whether markers fall within broad ‘normal’ ranges, a full health MOT interrogates how the body is functioning as a whole – and where subtle imbalances may be quietly developing.

    The science supporting early intervention is well established. Research published in The Lancet Oncology, for example, consistently shows that early-stage cancer detection significantly improves survival outcomes across multiple cancer types. Similarly, mounting evidence links early metabolic dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and hormonal imbalance to long-term disease risk – often years before clinical symptoms appear. Against this backdrop, it’s little surprise that proactive health assessments are becoming a marker of foresight rather than fear.

    A full health MOT is best described as a deep dive into how the body is operating beneath the surface. At The HVN, a London-based preventative health clinic with an increasingly international clientele, medical director Dr Tanja Phillips explains that the process goes far beyond symptom-led medicine.

    “It’s a comprehensive, preventative assessment that brings together functional diagnostics, in-depth consultation, and a genuinely personalized health plan,” she says. “We look at the body as an interconnected system, examining metabolic and hormonal health to inflammation, cardiovascular risk, nutrient status, gut health ,and stress response.”

    Typically, this includes detailed blood analysis, body composition scanning, lifestyle and health history reviews, and functional or longevity-focused biomarkers not routinely assessed in standard check-ups. Crucially, the emphasis is on optimization, not diagnosis. “Rather than simply identifying whether something is ‘within range’, we look at optimal ranges, patterns, and early signals of imbalance,” Phillips adds.

    This depth of interpretation is what many clients find transformative. “Clients often tell us it’s the first time they’ve truly understood their health rather than just received numbers on a page,” she notes.

    The rise of full health MOTs reflects a broader shift in how health is being perceived: as an asset to be actively managed. According to Phillips, clients are becoming far more proactive, driven by a desire for energy and clarity, not just disease avoidance.

    “There’s a growing awareness that feeling ‘fine’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’re functioning optimally,” she says. “Many chronic conditions develop over years, and prevention is far less disruptive than reactive treatment later on.”

    This mindset is mirrored globally, from clinical settings to destination-led longevity programs. In St Barths, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa and Le Barth Villas have partnered with Dr Franck Baudino, founder of Saint-Barth Longevity, to offer tailored longevity retreats that blend advanced medical insight with restorative natural environments. Guests begin with comprehensive health mapping – including biological age testing, inflammation markers, and microbiome analysis – before following personalized programs designed to optimize energy, sleep, and long-term wellbeing.

    Similarly, Austria’s Mayrlife Medical Health Resort in Altaussee combines cutting-edge diagnostics with the Mayr Method, focusing on gut regeneration, metabolic health, and cellular renewal. Led by CEO Dr Dieter Resch, programs begin with extensive medical testing and unfold through daily doctor consultations, bespoke nutrition ,and advanced therapies ranging from cryotherapy to hypoxic training.

    Costs for full health MOTs and associated programs vary widely, reflecting their scope and setting. Clinical assessments typically range from several thousand dollars, while immersive longevity retreats – particularly those incorporating accommodation, ongoing medical support and advanced therapies — can extend into the tens of thousands, leading some to question whether health is a symbol of wealth.

    Perhaps the more interesting question is whether health has become a symbol of intention. Phillips notes a clear shift in the demographic seeking these assessments. “We’re seeing clients coming in younger than ever before – often in their late 20s to 40s – who are highly engaged, informed, and proactive,” she says. Many arrive motivated by performance or wellbeing concerns, only to discover how closely these link to long-term health.

    What unites them is a shared perspective: Health should not be addressed only when something goes wrong, but as an ongoing investment. One that supports ambition and protects quality of life over time.

    In that sense, the modern status symbol isn’t excess or indulgence, but insight – the ability to understand your body, act early, and design a future where longevity and vitality are not left to chance.

  • A Rare $20 Million Rembrandt Is Being Sold at Auction – for a Remarkable Reason

    A Rare $20 Million Rembrandt Is Being Sold at Auction – for a Remarkable Reason

    As Sotheby’s prepares to auction Rembrandt’s Young Lion Resting, collector Thomas Kaplan reveals why now is the right time to pass with the piece. 

    Young Lion Resting rembrandt

    Estimated to sell for approximately $20 million at Sotheby’s New York on February 4, 2026, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn’s Young Lion Resting is widely regarded as one of the most important works on paper to come to market in decades. But for Thomas Kaplan – collector, conservationist, and investor — its value has never been purely monetary.

    “Collecting, to me, has always been about passion,” he exclusively tells Elite Traveler. “I fell in love with Rembrandt when I was six years old. That intense feeling has stayed with me my whole life.»

    See also: Inside The Inventive World of Meriem Bennani

    When he and his wife Daphne acquired the piece in 2005, it marked a personal beginning. It was the first Rembrandt they ever owned – the foundation stone of what would become The Leiden Collection, now comprising 17 paintings by the master and widely regarded as one of the most important private collections of seventeenth-century Dutch art in the world.

    thomas kaplan art collector
    Kaplan is the world’s largest private collector of Rembrandt’s works ©Sotheby’s

    “It doesn’t take a genius to collect Rembrandt,” Kaplan says with characteristic humility. “It takes a genius to be Rembrandt.” Upon seeing Young Lion Resting for the very first time, he was “mesmerized by the cat’s eyes,” before noticing the bold, expressive strokes. “Rembrandt had a singular ability to capture the soul of his sitters,” he says. “Here, he saw this lion, brought to Amsterdam as a novelty, as a sentient, noble being – not just a curiosity.” 

    As Kaplan explains, collecting for him at least, began by chance – «a way to be closer to a particular form of art that I had long admired.” That impulse would go on to shape The Leiden Collection, which from its inception was never intended to be static, but a “vehicle for public dissemination, scholarly research and, critically, cultural exchange.”

    Conceived as a “lending library”, it has been built around the idea that great art belongs, ultimately, to the public realm. Since embarking on a global tour in 2017, works from the collection have been exhibited in more than 80 museums worldwide – from the Louvre in Paris to national museums across China, Russia, the UAE, and the United States. 

    Young Lion Resting
    Young Lion Resting is regarded as of the greatest drawings by the artist to come to auction in half a century ©Sotheby’s

    The sale of Young Lion Resting coincides with another milestone: the 20th anniversary of Panthera, the wild cat conservation organization Kaplan co-founded with the late Dr Alan Rabinowitz in a bid “to protect these magnificent creatures in the wild.”

    The timing is deliberate. Over the past century, local lion populations have collapsed by more than 90 percent, falling from an estimated 200,000 to fewer than 30,000 today. “I realized that the best possible legacy for this masterpiece,” Kaplan says, “is for it to quite literally empower the survival of the very species that inspired Rembrandt some 400 years ago.”

    In a rare move, 100% of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Panthera’s global conservation efforts, demonstrating how Kaplan links art, history, and conservation in a way few collectors do. 

    The decision to part with such seminal work feels countercultural, especially in an era where collection is often conflated with accumulation. But Kaplan explains that “when Daphne and I collect, we don’t feel that we ‘own’ these paintings. We think of ourselves as temporary baton holders in a very long relay race.” 

    That ethos has shaped not only The Leiden Collection, but Kaplan’s wider work and lifelong commitment to safeguarding endangered species. “Right now, we are living through a moment where we must decide what kind of world we want to pass on to future generations. A world without Rembrandt would be spiritually impoverished,” he says. “Just as a world without the roar of a lion would be biologically bankrupt.”