Joseph (1861-1938) and Charles (1864-1904) Knaffl opened the Knaffl and Brother photographic studio in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1884. The brothers worked together until Charles died in 1904, at which point Joseph continued with the business, keeping the Knaffl & Bro. studio open while forming a separate portrait studio- Knaffl and Brakebill– in 1909 with one of his protégés, James Brakebill.  (1.)

Knaffl’s early portraits, which were influenced by classical art, were often based on religious iconography, such as “Knaffl Madonna” (1899) and “The Young St. John” (1903).  (2.)

titled within lower plate impression:

“The young Saint John”
by Knaffl & Bro.

titled outside upper image margin:

Copyrighted by Knaffl & Bro.

1. Joseph Knaffl: Wikipedia page accessed, April, 2012.
2. Ibid