Established in 1951, the Thanjavur Art Gallery displays a grand collection of bronze icons, stone sculptures and other artifacts belonging to the Chola Empire that existed in the eastern part of Tamil Nadu, the South-Indian state.The Cholas were great admirers of arts and crafts, as is evident from the towering temples here with beautiful murals and intrinsic sculptures.

Thanjavur (Tanjore) enjoyed the status of the capital of the Chola kingdom and hence the region has a rare tradition of arts, which even continued today. Besides the Chola collections of 9th-13th centuries, the gallery also displays some specimens of finest artistry during the post-Chola periods during the Nayaks (17th and 18th centuries) and the Pallavas.