Leiden Collection

The Leiden Collection does not maintain a permanent public museum building or dedicated gallery space in New York City or elsewhere. Instead, the collection operates as a traveling private assemblage. The Kaplans have chosen to lend their works to over seventy museums globally for special exhibitions and long-term displays in permanent collections. This approach allows the art to be viewed in various institutional settings, such as the Louvre in Paris and museums in Beijing, Shanghai, Moscow, and Amsterdam, rather than being confined to a single architectural venue.

The core of the collection consists of seventeen paintings and two drawings by Rembrandt van Rijn, representing the largest private holding of works by the master. These span his entire career, including early allegorical paintings from the mid-1620s. The collection also features significant works by Rembrandt's pupils and assistants, such as Govaert Flinck, Ferdinand Bol, and Carel Fabritius. Other major holdings include outstanding works by Leiden fijnschilders Gerrit Dou and Frans van Mieris, as well as pieces by Jan Steen, Gabriel Metsu, and a painting attributed to Johannes Vermeer, such as 'Young Woman Seated at a Virginal'.

The Leiden Collection is significant for its scholarly approach and its role in promoting the understanding of the Dutch Golden Age. The Kaplans published an online catalogue in 2017, edited by Arthur K. Wheelock Jr. and Elizabeth Nogrady, featuring entries on over 175 works and contributions from leading scholars. The collection's mission is to serve as a resource for students, collectors, and professionals, fostering a deeper appreciation of the artists' legacy and their impact on Western civilization. By lending works internationally, the collection aims to stimulate global interest in these cornerstones of art history.