The MFAH hosts the opening program of JLF Houston. 

“Pahari Paintings: Art and Stories”
Speaker: Sonya Rhie Mace

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Pahari kingdoms of the northwestern Himalayas created a luminous world of paintings—intimate, expressive, and vividly colored. In this richly illustrated session, curator Sonya Rhie Mace explores a remarkably dispersed collection that opens up new ways of seeing these works. Moving beyond questions of attribution, the discussion traces artists, patrons, and practices across regions, revealing a shared visual culture shaped by movement and exchange.

Tickets

• Lecture*
  A free ticket is required in advance. | Capacity is limited.
• Museum Admission
  *Museum admission is required in addition to the lecture ticket. Admission is free for MFAH members and ages 12 & younger. Get advance Museum tickets.

Plan Your Visit

• Doors open at 5:30 pm for registration. Space is limited, and any unclaimed seats are released five minutes prior to the talk.
• This event takes place in Lynn Wyatt Theater in the Kinder Building.
• Parking Information | Museum Hours | MFAH Campus Map

About the Program
The Jaipur Literature Festival, held annually in Jaipur, India, travels globally with programs featuring writers, influencers, political leaders, entertainers, and other prominent speakers. The 2026 edition of JLF Houston runs from October 2 to 4 at venues including the MFAH, Asia Society Texas Center, and Rothko Chapel.

About the Speaker
Sonya Rhie Mace is the George P. Bickford Curator of Indian and Southeast Asian Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. She has published writings on a range of topics in the history of South Asian art, including History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura and Pahari Paintings: Art and Stories.