Antonie Brentano

Antonie Brentano (28 May 1780 – 12 May 1869 in Frankfurt), born Johanna Antonie Josefa Edle von Birkenstock and known as Toni, was an Austrian philanthropist, art collector, arts patron, and a close friend of famous German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, being the dedicatee of his “Diabelli” variations. Early life Antonie was born 28 May 1780 in Vienna. She was the daughter of Austrian diplomat, educational reformer, and art collector and his wife Carolina Josefa von Hay (born 1755 in Fulnek/Böhmen; died 18 May 1788 in Vienna). She had three siblings, two of whom died in infancy: * Hugo Konrad Gottfried von Birkenstock (15 December 1778 in Vienna – 10 April 1825 in Ybbs an der Donau). Lieutenant in the k.u.k. Weydenfeld-Infantry * Konstantin Viktor von Birkenstock (born and died 1782 in Frankfurt) * Johann Eduard Valentin von Birkenstock (born and died 1784 in Frankfurt) Her father was an Imperial advisor to Empress Maria Theresa and the reformist Emperor Joseph II. Through his wife, he was the brother-in-law of Joseph von Sonnenfels, the dedicatee of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 (1801). Antonie von Birkenstock Brentano’s mother was the sister of the Reformbisc