The biography paints a picture of Rudolf Leopold as a fascinating collector. It is based on the personal memories of his son, Diethard Leopold, and the latter's conversations with his father, relatives and contemporaries, as well as with competitors of his father. It is the permanent record of a lifelong effort to preserve what has defined a cultural period. Beginning with Schiele as core artist, his collection includes numerous major works by the likes of Klimt, Kokoschka, Gerstl, Egger-Lienz, and Kubin as well as by German Expressionists. Important furniture, arts and crafts, jewelry, and African and Japanese art complement the collection.