Introduction

The National Art Museum is established in the historic Singha Dhwaka (Lion Gate) palace, at Bhaktapur Durbar Square by Department of Archaeology in 1960 AD. This part of the palace was built by King Bhupatindra Malla, the renowned patron of arts and culture in 1697 AD. Exquisite stone sculptures of the deity Hanu-Bhairav reflecting tantric legend and Nrisimha are established on two sides of main entrance of the palace. These sculptures are guarded by pair of huge stone lions, which gave the name of Singha Dhwakha Palace for this premises. The museum was named as the National Picture Gallery, when it was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala and entrusted to conserve, collect and promote the original Nepali paintings. The gallery is renamed as the National Art Museum with three additional wings for stone sculptures, wood carvings and metal crafts. This museum is unique in providing the public access to the exhibits of rare original paintings, wood carvings, stone sculptures and metal crafts work.