The Himalayan Art Council has introduced a digital certification program to protect Nepal’s art heritage.

 KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14 – The Himalayan Art Council (HAC) has launched a digital certification system to safeguard Nepal’s rich Himalayan art traditions, especially sacred Thangka and Paubha paintings. The program aims to preserve artistic heritage, verify authenticity, and increase the international value of Nepali artworks.


HAC combines physical and digital certification with careful provenance checks and detailed archiving of artists’ stories and works. Artists or collectors submit detailed information about each artwork, which is cross-verified and reviewed by a third party. Once certified, the artwork receives a permanent digital record along with a physical copy for archives.


For works by deceased artists, HAC provides timestamped documentation to recognize their historical importance, helping prevent the loss of provenance information. Each certified artwork also receives a unique digital footprint to discourage forgery and clarify ownership. Artist identities, including lineage and personal stories, are securely recorded, preserving recognition in a tradition where many works are unsigned.


HAC follows international museum and archive standards, enabling global verification by collectors and cultural institutions. The system also helps artists financially by tracking secondary sales, ensuring they or their families can receive royalties.


So far, HAC has worked with 50 leading Nepali Thangka and Paubha artists, certifying 54 artworks on a private platform, with plans to expand access to galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.


Nepali artworks are often undervalued internationally compared to similar pieces from India, China, or Tibet due to a lack of trusted provenance records. HAC’s certification system aims to fix this, enhancing both trust and market value. Unlike other digital authentication solutions, HAC’s certificates are designed for traditional physical artworks, are human-readable without special tools, and respect artist and collector privacy. By combining secure digital technology with cultural preservation, HAC hopes to protect the artistic, spiritual, historical, and cultural significance of Himalayan art for future generations.

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