Background
Branner, Robert was born on January 13, 1927 in New York City. Son of Martin M. and Edith (Fabbrini) Branner.
Branner, Robert was born on January 13, 1927 in New York City. Son of Martin M. and Edith (Fabbrini) Branner.
Bachelor of Arts, Yale, 1948, Doctor of Philosophy, 1953. Student Ecole des Chartes and Institute d’art et d’archeologie, Paris, 1950-1952.
Branner was a student of Sumner McKnight Crosby and Jurgis Baltrušaitis at Yale and was closely associated with Jean Bony and Louis Grodecki, all students of Henri Focillon. Active as an excavator, he made important discoveries in the chronology and style of French cathedrals, incorporating cultural historical tools into the method of design analysis that had more traditionally dominated architectural history. Late in his life, he worked on the stylistic identification of different ateliers of manuscript painting during the era of Saint Louis.
Branner is remembered through the Robert Branner Forum, a student-run symposium at Columbia University, sponsoring lectures several times a year that are open to the public.
The Forum originated as a series of visiting lectures organized by Branner’s graduate students immediately after his death during the academic year, as a way of continuing his courses. lieutenant has been supported by his family since that time.
Member National Committee History Art, 1969-1972. Member of advisory committee Medieval department Metropolitan Museum Art, 1972-1973. Member of advisory board Speculum, 1973.
Served with Army of the United States, 1945-1946.
Fulbright-Hayes grantee, 1950-1952. Member Mediaeval Academy American, College Art Association, Society francaise d’archaeologie, Society Architectural Historians (board directors 1960-1963, editor journal 1964-1966), International Center Mediaeval Art (director 1966-1973), Society National des Antiquaires de France.
Married Shirley South. Prager, January 25, 1953.