Pahari Paintings exhibition opens in Washington DC, April 2026
Synopsis
Forty-eight rarely seen Pahari paintings — some never publicly exhibited before — are now on view in Washington DC, offering a fresh scholarly lens on the collaborative artist communities of India's Himalayan hill kingdoms. The show runs until July 2026 and travels alongside companion exhibitions in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Key Takeaways
The exhibition "Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India's Himalayan Kingdoms" runs from 18 April to 26 July 2026 at the Arthur M.
Sackler Gallery , Washington DC.
It features 48 works created for Hindu kings in the Pahari region between the 1620s and 1830s .
Some works from the Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Ralph Benkaim collection have never been publicly exhibited before.
The show includes loans from the Cleveland Museum of Art alongside the museum's own holdings.
Companion exhibitions are running simultaneously at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum .
A companion publication titled "Pahari Paintings: Art and Stories" accompanies the show.
A landmark exhibition of Pahari paintings from India's Himalayan hill kingdoms has opened at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC, offering American audiences a rare window into one of the subcontinent's most visually striking yet least-documented artistic traditions. The show runs from 18 April to 26 July 2026.
What the Exhibition Features
Titled
Point of View
Or remains a one-cycle event, will be the real measure of its impact.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pahari paintings exhibition in Washington DC?
It is an exhibition titled "Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India's Himalayan Kingdoms," running from 18 April to 26 July 2026 at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC. It features 48 works created for Hindu kings in the Pahari region of north India between the 1620s and 1830s.
Where is the Pahari art exhibition being held?
The primary exhibition is at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC. Companion exhibitions are also running at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
What makes the Pahari paintings exhibition significant?
The show includes works from the Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Ralph Benkaim collection, some of which have never been publicly exhibited before. Curators describe Pahari paintings as among the world's most beautiful yet least understood artworks from the Himalayan region.
What styles are represented in the Pahari paintings show?
The exhibition highlights a wide diversity of styles, ranging from lyrical and naturalistic to boldly coloured and abstracted, reflecting the varied cultural and religious influences across the Himalayan hill kingdoms between the 1620s and 1830s.
Is there a publication accompanying the Pahari paintings exhibition?
Yes, a companion publication titled "Pahari Paintings: Art and Stories" has been released alongside the exhibition to provide additional scholarly context on the tradition and the works on display.
