Untouched Parisian Apartment Opened After 70 Years Yields A Painting Worth $3.4M
In 1942, the owner of one Parisian apartment left her home for Southern France, trying to escape a Nazi raid. Although she never returned to the apartment, she kept paying the rent until her death at the age of 91. Interestingly, the owner of the apartment was the granddaughter of Marthe de Florian – a true Parisian gem of her time, a socialite and an actress with many admirers lining up at her door.
The apartment had been isolated until her death three years ago, when the owner‘s executor sent a team to investigate her past home. The Parisian “Time Capsule“ included not only the beautifully-preserved luxurious interior, but also a stunning painting featuring a woman in pink muslin evening dress.
The painting was identified as19th century Italian painter Giovanni Boldini’s portrait of Marthe de Florian, his muse and the grandmother of the woman who left the apartment behind so long ago. The painter and the muse were identified from love notes written by Boldini to Madame de Florian that were discovered in the apartment. It was later specified that the artwork was painted in 1898, when the muse was 24.
The value of the painting has already reached $3.4 M and the painting is considered to be one of the finest art discoveries of this century.
Got wisdom to pour?
I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her to abandon all this beauty and escape with her life
I keep going back to this article, and continue to share it with friends. Just so much to look at.
left in awe.
Clearly, she was a muse.
A very gorgeous one.
We are NOT amused!
I would go so far to say she was a-mused!
a muse of Mickey Mouse
It seems to me that the lady knew the things she left behind were just that…things. Adornments to a life, not the life itself.
Why did she pay her rent and never go back? Will her family get the paintings?
Wonder how much Mickey Mouse would be worth? circa 30’s?
So kool…..love it:)
This is amazing and I can’t stop looking at these photos.
Interesting :)