These portraits are thought to be Isabella Catherine Black, wife of William Wallace Knowles. William and Isabella married in Montreal on January 25, 1877. It is likely that these photographs are either her wedding or engagement photographs. Isabella was born November 30, 1853 in the Quebec and and was 23 years old at the time of her wedding. Based on her dress, collar, hair, and background, both portraits appear to be the same sitting.

The photo on the right better captures her velvet dress, embroidered white collar, long beads, earrings, and short hair style. Since Isabella was a dressmaker, it is likely that she made this dress herself. Both portraits show her holding a photo card of what appears to be a person, though it is not clear enough to decipher who.

The Leonhardt family lent the original of these Studio Portraits to Dave Jordan in 1991 who photographed them. The Leonhardt connection to the Jordans is Margaret Jane Jordan and Muriel Leonhardt were Knowles sisters.

If you would like to add information about this picture, please contact Dave Jordan, a 2x g-grandson of William and Isabella Knowles. The Picture Reference Numbers are: Digitized Negatives: 173-09 and 173-08. I placed 173-09 on the left so they would face each other instead of back to back.