Downtown in Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Joseph Knaffl

(1861-1936)

Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 15, 2023

1. Joseph Knaffl Marker

Inscription.

Joseph Knaffl. Madonna and Child, 1899, Knaffl Brothers (Knoxville photography studio, active 1884-1908) Photographic print, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, Gift of Andrew Hurst, 1980.14.1.. Joseph Knaffl was born in German-immigrant community of Wartburg, Tennessee. His father Dr. Rudolph Knaffl, had been a physician at the Royal Court of Austria before moving to the United States around 1850, as a refugee of the revolutions of that era., Educated in Knoxville and Nashville, Joseph developed an interest in photography through a position at the early T.M Schlier Studio in Knoxville before opening a studio on Gay Street with his brother Charles in 1884. After Charles died in 1904, Knaffl formed a partnership with a former protégé, James Brakebill, Sr. and specialized in portrait photography. Knaffl and Brother, a separate company, served as an art studio and publishing house., "Madonna and Child" is Knaffl's most famous work. The adult model was Emma Fanz ( the daughter of German-born sausage maker Ignaz Fanz); she's holding Khaffl's own daughter, Josephine. Despite the gender difference, the portrait was intended to resemble the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. It was shot in 1899 in Knaffl's Gay Street studio., Earning honors at expositions and widely distributed through publications in national art magazines, the photo was framed in hundreds of living rooms across America, and in more recent years has appeared (without credit) on Hallmark Christmas cards., Knaffl himself served as a judge in art exhibitions, including Knoxville's Expositions in 1910 and 1913 at Chilhowee Park., The master photographer's townhouse at 918 Gay Street had a peculiar fate. In 1926 it was forced out to make way for the new Tennessee Terrace Hotel (later renamed the Andrew Johnson). A later owner moved most of its façade and interior work to Burlington's Speedway Circle, previously Cal Johnson's horse-racing track. The number carved in marble above the door of the house, 918, still reflects Knaffl's old address on Gay Street., Joseph Knaffl is buried in Old Gray Cemetery., This Art Wrap was sponsored by Graphic Creation to meet a match requirement for a grant provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission., Thanks also to the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture for sharing the Knaffl photograph and the Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance., Downtown Art Wraps are coordinated by the Knoxville History Project, an educational nonprofit with a mission to research and promote the history and culture of Knoxville. KHP's educational articles and publications feature colorful characters, bizarre tales, interesting buildings, curious traditions, as well as seriously influential local events. Learn more at knoxvillehistoryproject.org.

Madonna and Child, 1899, Knaffl Brothers
(Knoxville photography studio, active 1884-1908)
Photographic print, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture,
Gift of Andrew Hurst, 1980.14.1.
Joseph Knaffl was born in German-immigrant community of Wartburg, Tennessee. His father Dr. Rudolph Knaffl, had been a physician at the Royal Court of Austria before moving to the United States around 1850, as a refugee of the revolutions of that era.

Educated in Knoxville and Nashville, Joseph developed an interest in photography through a position at the early T.M Schlier Studio in Knoxville before opening a studio on Gay Street with his brother Charles in 1884. After Charles died in 1904, Knaffl formed a partnership with a former protégé, James Brakebill, Sr. and specialized in portrait photography. Knaffl and Brother, a separate company, served as an art studio and publishing house.

"Madonna and Child" is Knaffl's most famous work. The adult model was Emma Fanz ( the daughter of German-born sausage maker Ignaz Fanz); she's holding Khaffl's own daughter, Josephine. Despite the gender difference, the portrait was intended to resemble the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. It was shot in 1899 in Knaffl's Gay Street studio.

Earning honors at expositions and widely distributed

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

through publications in national art magazines, the photo was framed in hundreds of living rooms across America, and in more recent years has appeared (without credit) on Hallmark Christmas cards.

Knaffl himself served as a judge in art exhibitions, including Knoxville's Expositions in 1910 and 1913 at Chilhowee Park.

The master photographer's townhouse at 918 Gay Street had a peculiar fate. In 1926 it was forced out to make way for the new Tennessee Terrace Hotel (later renamed the Andrew Johnson). A later owner moved most of its façade and interior work to Burlington's Speedway Circle, previously Cal Johnson's horse-racing track. The number carved in marble above the door of the house, 918, still reflects Knaffl's old address on Gay Street.

Joseph Knaffl is buried in Old Gray Cemetery.

This Art Wrap was sponsored by
Graphic Creation to meet a match requirement for a grant
provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Thanks also to the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture for
sharing the Knaffl photograph and the Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance.

Downtown Art Wraps are coordinated by the Knoxville History Project,
an educational nonprofit with a mission to research and promote the
history and culture of Knoxville. KHP's educational articles and publications
feature

Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 15, 2023

2. Joseph Knaffl Marker

colorful characters, bizarre tales, interesting buildings, curious
traditions, as well as seriously influential local events.
Learn more at knoxvillehistoryproject.org

Erected by Knoxville History Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Knoxville History Project - Downtown Art Wraps series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 35° 57.828′ N, 83° 54.962′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of State Street and West Church Avenue, on the right when traveling north on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knoxville TN 37902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Knaffl and Brother Photographic Studio (here, next to this marker); White's Mill (a few steps from this marker); First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Journal Arcade Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lloyd Branson (about 400 feet away); The Everly Brothers (about 400 feet away); Tennessee Theater (about 500 feet away); Site of Blount College (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Related markers.

"Madonna and Child" - Joseph Knaffl image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 15, 2023

3. "Madonna and Child" - Joseph Knaffl

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.