Patrick Felix Krüger

Dr. Patrick Felix Krüger is a Research Associate in South Asian Religious History and Jain Studies at the Centrum für Religionswissenschaftliche Studien (CERES), Ruhr-Universität Bochum. He is affiliated with the Collaborative Research Center SFB 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' and leads the 'Forschungsstelle Jainismus'. His work bridges art history, religious studies, and museology, with a focus on Jain iconography and interreligious contact.

Education:

• Doctorate in South Asian Art History, Free University of Berlin
• MA in Indian Art History and East Asian Art History, Free University of Berlin
• MA in South Asian History and Islamic Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin

His research interests include the visualization of dharma in Jainism, the history and theory of religious images, museum studies, and missionary collections. He explores how metaphors shape religious understanding and how artifacts function in cross-cultural contexts. His work often centers on Kalpasūtra manuscripts, Jina imagery, and the role of museums as contact zones.

His recent publications (2020–2025) reveal a strong focus on religious metaphors, intercultural visual exchange, and the role of images in religious identity. Key themes include kingship metaphors in Jain art, the depiction of deities in manuscripts, and the function of art in interreligious dialogue. His work spans journals such as Art of the Orient, Entangled Religions, and Jaina Studies, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement.

Scientific Awards:

• Käte Hamburger Fellowship (2016)

Dr. Krüger has led and contributed to numerous research projects, including 'The Visualization of the Dharma' and 'Forschungsschwerpunkt Missionssammlungen'. He has co-edited volumes on missionary collections and contributed to exhibition catalogs. While no formal students are listed, he mentors through collaborative research. He has been involved in curatorial and educational projects, including 'Zwischen Bilderflut und Bildersturm', emphasizing the societal role of religious images.

Labs and Research Teams:

• Centrum für Religionswissenschaftliche Studien (CERES)
• SFB 1475 'Metaphors of Religion', Project B04
• Forschungsstelle Jainismus (Project Leadership)
• Forschungsschwerpunkt Missionssammlungen