SOAS University of London

Department of the History of Art and Archaeology, School of Arts

Crispin Branfoot

BA (Manchester), MA, PhD (London)
  • Overview
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Expertise
  • Publications

Overview

Crispin Branfoot
Department of the History of Art and Archaeology, School of Arts

Reader in the History of South Asian Art & Archaeology

School of Arts

Reader in the History of South Asian Art & Archaeology

Centre of Jaina Studies

Member, Centre of Jaina Studies

Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies

Member

SOAS South Asia Institute

Academic Staff, SOAS South Asia Institute

Name:
Dr Crispin Branfoot
Email address:
Telephone:
020 7898 4450
Fax:
020 7898 4479
Address:
SOAS University of London
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
Building:
Brunei Gallery
Office No:
B311
Office Hours:
Monday 2-3pm or by email appointment

Biography

Dr Branfoot studied Ancient History and Archaeology at Manchester University (BA), and Art & Archaeology at SOAS (MA, PhD). Before joining SOAS in 2006 he was a senior research fellow in South Asian Art and Architecture at De Montfort University in Leicester (2000-5) and museum assistant in the Departments of Eastern Art at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum in London.

Teaching

Courses Taught
PhD Students supervised
  • Anais Da Fonseca, Contemporary Lives of Cherial Paintings from Telangana, India: Continuity and Changes
  • Bryony Whitmarsh, 'The Narayanhiti Palace Museum: Memory, Power and National Identity'
  • Saachi Sood, Mahabharata Painting in the Punjab Hills: A Study at the courts of Kangra, Guler and Garhwal
Former PhD Students
  • Yashaswini Chandra (2011) - Sacred Change: Material Heritage in Cultural Negotiations in the Western Himalayas
  • Emma Martin (2014) - Charles Bell's collection of 'curios': negotiating Tibetan material culture on the Anglo-Tibetan borderlands (1900-1945)
Current PhD Students
  • Atsushi Ikeda - Guru Nanak and Sikh portraiture
  • Jahanara Saigol - Ornament in Lahore: Jahangir, Maryam Zamani and the Mughal language of ornament

Research

Current Research

My research examines the arts of southern India from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries, the period encompassed by the Vijayanagara Empire, the Nayaka successor states and the establishment of colonial authority. Many of my publications have addressed the architecture, sculpture and religious culture of the Hindu temples of the Tamil region. A recent book, co-authored with Archana Venkatesan (UC Davis, California), In Antal’s Garden: art, ornament and devotion in Srivilliputtur (2015) discussed one of south India’s best-loved Hindu goddesses, her temple and its festivals. The award of a Leverhulme Research Fellowship (2015-16) enabled the continuation of my research on the construction, renovation and conservation of religious architecture in south India in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Expertise

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Available for
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Press
  • Briefings
  • Special Study Programmes
  • Short Term Consultancy
  • Long Term Consultancy
Regional Expertise
  • South Asia
Country Expertise
  • India
Languages

Publications

Jump to: Authored Books | Edited Books or Journal Volumes | Book Chapters | Articles | Book Reviews

Authored Books

Venkatesan, Archana and Branfoot, Crispin (2015) In Andal's Garden: Art, Ornament and Devotion in Srivilliputtur. Mumbai: Marg Publications.

Taylor, Roger and Branfoot, Crispin (2014) Captain Linnaeus Tripe: Photographer of India and Burma, 1852-1860. Washington: National Gallery of Art and Prestel Publishing.

Branfoot, Crispin (2007) Gods on the Move: Architecture and Ritual in the South Indian Temple. London: British Academy & Society for South Asian Studies.

Edited Books or Journal Volumes

Branfoot, Crispin, ed. (2015) Traditional Arts of South Asia: Continuity in Contemporary Practice and Patronage. London: Saffron Books.

Branfoot, Crispin and Barnes, Ruth, eds. (2006) Pilgrimage: The Sacred Journey. Oxford: Ashmolean Museum.

Book Chapters

Branfoot, Crispin (2017) 'Making Space for the Sacred: Hindu Art and Material Religion.' In: Bailey, Greg, (ed.), Hinduism in India: The Early Period. New Delhi: Sage, pp. 179-207.

Branfoot, Crispin (2015) 'Temple sculpture in colonial Madurai: The reconsecration of the Minakshi-Sundareshvara temple in the 1870s.' In: Verghese, Anila and Dallapiccola, Anna L., (eds.), Art, Icon and Architecture in South Asia: Essays in Honour of Devangana Desai. New Delhi: Aryan Books International, pp. 277-292.

Branfoot, Crispin (2013) 'Imperial Memory: the Vijayanagara Legacy in the Art of the Tamil Nayakas.' In: Verghese, Anila, (ed.), Krishnadevaraya and His Times. Mumbai: K R Cama Oriental Institute, pp. 316-344.

Branfoot, Crispin and Dallapiccola, Anna L. (2012) 'Bhatkal's Ramayana Panels.' In: Michell, George, (ed.), Kanara, A Land Apart: The Artistic Heritage of Coastal Karnataka. Mumbai: Marg Publications, pp. 58-65.

Branfoot, Crispin (2011) 'In a Land of Kings: donors, elites and temple sculpture.' In: Dallapiccola, Anna L. and Verghese, Anila, (eds.), South India under Vijayanagara: Art and Archaeology. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, pp. 249-262.

Branfoot, Crispin (2011) 'Minaksi's wedding: painting the sacred marriage in early modern Madurai.' In: Dallapiccola, Anna L., (ed.), Indian Painting: The Lesser Known Traditions. New Delhi: Niyogi Publications, pp. 172-189.

Branfoot, Crispin (2010) 'Iconography and Images: Art.' In: Jacobsen, Knut, (ed.), Brill Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Vol. II: Texts, Rituals, Arts, Concepts. Leiden: E.J. Brill, pp. 536-550.

Branfoot, Crispin (2007) 'South Asia and the Himalayas.' In: Contadini, Anna, (ed.), Objects of Instruction: Treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies. London: SOAS, pp. 68-74.

Branfoot, Crispin (2007) 'Regional Pasts, Imperial Present: architecture and memory in Vijayanagara-period Karnataka.' In: Hardy, Adam, (ed.), The Temple in South Asia. London: British Association for South Asian Studies, pp. 105-125.

Branfoot, Crispin (2006) 'Where on Earth is South Asia? Indian art and UK universities.' In: Tatlock, Janet, (ed.), 21st Century Art History - Global Reception. Brighton: Association of Art Historians, pp. 11-15.

Branfoot, Crispin (2006) 'Pilgrimage in South Asia: Crossing Boundaries of Space and Faith.' In: Branfoot, Crispin and Barnes, Ruth, (eds.), Pilgrimage: The Sacred Journey. Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, pp. 44-79.

Branfoot, Crispin and Allan, James W. (2006) 'Travellers of Faith: Pilgrim Tales.' In: Branfoot, Crispin and Barnes, Ruth, (eds.), Pilgrimage: The Sacred Journey. Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, pp. 96-115.

Branfoot, Crispin (1999) 'Tiruchirappalli and the Sacred Island of Srirangam.' In: Michell, George, (ed.), Eternal Kaveri: Historical Sites Along South India's Greatest River. Bombay: Marg Publications, pp. 75-88.

Branfoot, Crispin 'Later Hindu architecture in the Deccan and south India.' In: Etlin, Richard, (ed.), The Cambridge History of World Religious Architecture. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press. (Forthcoming)

Branfoot, Crispin 'Pilgrimage and sacred geography.' In: Etlin, Richard, (ed.), The Cambridge History of World Religious Architecture. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press. (Forthcoming)

Articles

Branfoot, Crispin (2015) 'The Tamil gopura: from temple gateway to global icon.' Ars Orientalis, 45. pp. 78-112.

Branfoot, Crispin (2013) 'Remaking the past: Tamil sacred landscape and temple renovations.' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 76 (1). pp. 21-47.

Branfoot, Crispin (2013) 'The Great Chola Temples: Tanjavur, Gangaikondacolapuram and Darasuram.' Sahapedia.

Branfoot, Crispin (2012) 'Dynastic genealogies, portraiture and the place of the past in early modern South India.' Artibus Asiae, 72 (2). pp. 323-376.

Branfoot, Crispin (2008) 'Imperial Frontiers: Building Sacred Space in Sixteenth-century South India.' The Art Bulletin, 90 (2). pp. 171-194.

Branfoot, Crispin (2007) 'Painting Processions: a Company album from south India.' Orientations, 38 (8). pp. 73-78.

Branfoot, Crispin (2006) 'Processions and Presence: Bronze Sculptures from the Temples of Southern India.' Arts of Asia, 36 (5). pp. 61-72.

Branfoot, Crispin and Dallapiccola, Anna (2005) 'Temple architecture in Bhatkal and the Ramayana tradition in coastal Karnataka.' Artibus Asiae, 65 (2). pp. 253-308.

Branfoot, Crispin (2004) 'The Madurai Nayakas and the Skanda temple at Tirupparankundram.' Ars Orientalis, 33. pp. 146-179.

Branfoot, Crispin (2002) '‘Expanding Form’: The Architectural Sculpture of the South Indian Temple c.1500-1700.' Artibus Asiae, 62 (2). pp. 189-245.

Branfoot, Crispin (2002) 'Bhima and Purusamirukam in the Nayaka-period Sculpture of Tamilnadu.' South Asian Studies, 18. pp. 77-82.

Branfoot, Crispin (2001) 'Mangammal of Madurai and South Indian Portraiture.' East and West, 51 (3-4). pp. 369-377.

Branfoot, Crispin (2001) 'Tirumala Nayaka's 'New Hall' and the European Study of the South Indian Temple.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 11 (2). pp. 191-218.

Branfoot, Crispin (2000) 'Royal Portrait Sculpture in the South Indian Temple.' South Asian Studies, 16. pp. 11-36.

Branfoot, Crispin (2000) 'Approaching the Temple in Nayaka-period Madurai: the Kutal Alakar temple.' Artibus Asiae, 60 (2). pp. 197-221.

Branfoot, Crispin (1995) 'Burmese Nats: Wooden Sculpture from the Richard C. Temple Collection.' Eastern Art Report, 4 (2). pp. 34-36.

Book Reviews

Branfoot, Crispin (2016) 'Review of: Tamara I. Sears. Worldly Gurus and Spiritual Kings: Architecture and Asceticism in Medieval India. (Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2014).' The Burlington Magazine, 158 (1354).

Branfoot, Crispin (2016) 'Review of: George Michell, Late Temple Architecture in India, 15th to 19th Centuries: Continuities, Revivals, Appropriations, and Innovations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press (2015).' Transactions of the Ancient Monuments Society, 60 . pp. 146-148.

Branfoot, Crispin (2013) 'Review of Archana Verma, 'Temple Imagery from Early Mediaeval Peninsular India' (2012).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 76 (3). pp. 534-535.

Branfoot, Crispin (2012) 'Jennifer Howes, Illustrating India: The Early Colonial Investigations of Colin Mackenzie (1784-1821)(2010).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 75 (1). pp. 179-181.

Branfoot, Crispin (2012) 'Jean Deloche, A Study in Nayaka-period Social Life: Tiruppudaimarudur Paintings and Carvings, EFEO 2011.' Journal of the American Oriental Society, 132 (3). pp. 512-514.

Branfoot, Crispin (2010) 'Anna Jackson and Amin Jaffer, eds. Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts.' Arts of Asia, 40 (3). pp. 143-147.

Branfoot, Crispin (2009) 'Indian Islamic Architecture: Forms and Typologies, Sites and Monuments by John Burton-Page, edited by George Michell (2008).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 72 (1). pp. 191-192.

Branfoot, Crispin (2009) 'Vijayanagara: Splendour in Ruins, edited by George Michell (2008).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 72 (1). pp. 189-191.

Branfoot, Crispin (2008) 'Ebba Koch: The Complete Taj Mahal and the Riverfront Gardens of Agra.' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 71 (1). pp. 133-134.

Branfoot, Crispin (2008) 'Indian Temple Sculpture by John Guy (2007).' Arts of Asia, 38 (1). pp. 130-131.

Branfoot, Crispin (2006) 'Hindu Arms and Ritual: Arms and Armour from India 1400–1865. By Robert Elgood.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 16 (1). pp. 95-96.

Branfoot, Crispin (2003) 'Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture: South India, Drāviḍadeśa, Later Phase c. AD 1289-1798 edited by George Michell, (2001).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 66 (1). pp. 105-107.

Branfoot, Crispin (2003) 'The Courts of Precolonial South India: Material Culture and Kingship by Jennifer Howes (2003).' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 66 (3). pp. 512-513.

Branfoot, Crispin (2001) 'The New Cambridge History of India: Architecture and Art of the Deccan Sultanates. By George Michell and Mark Zebrowski.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 11 (1). pp. 91-93.

Branfoot, Crispin (2001) 'Indian Architectural Theory: Contemporary Uses of Vastu Vidya by Vibhuti Chakrabarti (1998).' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 11 (2). pp. 300-302.

Branfoot, Crispin (2000) 'The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho by Devangana Desai (1996).' South Asian Studies, 16 (1). pp. 151-152.

Branfoot, Crispin (2000) 'Religious Traditions at Vijayanagara as Revealed Through its Monuments by Anila Verghese (1995) & Sculpture at Vijayanagara: Iconography and Style by Anna L. Dallapiccola & Anila Verghese (1998).' South Asian Studies, 16 (1). pp. 152-153.

Branfoot, Crispin (1999) 'Indian Art Worlds in Contention: Local, Regional and National Discourses on Orissan Patta Paintings, by Helle Bundgaard (1999).' South Asia Research, 19 . pp. 198-200.

Branfoot, Crispin 'Hindu Art & Architecture by George Michell (2000).' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 12 (1). pp. 111-112.

This list was generated on Mon Jun 26 03:17:52 2017 BST.