Above: A commemorative leaflet / for an / Unforgettable Viennese Luminary / Josef Bratfisch / Died December 16, 1892.

Source: Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library)

5. Rudolf and Josef (continued)

Josef was something of an art collector. His stepdaughter Antonia recalled his "museum" of "hunting trophies, antique paintings (watercolors), etc." (Konhäuser).

Josef began by collecting hunting trophies such as deer antlers, of which he accumulated hundreds over the years. His trophies attracted the attention of aristocratic collectors who traded paintings or other art objects for some of them.

As a result Josef acquired a small but impressive art gallery which included copperplate engravings by the 18th century artist Johann Ridinger, a painting by the contemporary French artist Georges Clairin, now remembered for his many portraits of Sarah Bernhardt, and three paintings that were gifts from the Japanese ambassador.

Rudolf admired Josef's "museum" and contributed several antique pistols and knives to it along with other oddments that he picked up in his travels or that were presented to him as gifts: a jewellery box carved out of a coconut and richly decorated with silver, a working model of a spinning wheel made of ivory, an ivory Christ, and a large meerschaum pipe that had belonged to Emperor Franz Josef (Budweiser Bote).

The Bratfisch family was charmed by both Rudolf and Mizzi and flattered by the Crown Prince's trust in them. For his part Rudolf evidently enjoyed their humble domesticity and natural conviviality.

He may even have envied them. His visits were certainly a respite from the dark future into which he was heading. But that future was not far off.

The November when Rudolf made his visits to Josef, Johanna and Antonia was the same November in which he first met Mary Vetsera.