Imagine stepping into a place that's been locked up for decades and finding it adorned with period furniture and artifacts - all completely untouched. This is precisely what happened recently in Paris when an auctioneer walked into an apartment that had been abandoned for an unbelievable 70+ years. What he found was a treasure from the past, complete with well-preserved paintings and precious ornaments that tell a long, curious story of history and romance.
The sumptuous apartment belonged to a certain Madame Marthe de Florian, a French socialite, and actress who was born in 1864. She passed away in this very apartment in 1939. Her daughter, Solange Beaugiron (1919-2010), inherited the property but fled to the south of France in fear of Nazi persecution when World War II broke out, never to return. She left this gem behind, and it remained undiscovered until her death just a few years ago.
The grand discovery inspired many individuals, including the authoress Michelle Gable, who wrote a book about it. The book is entitled "A Paris Apartment", and it recounts the true story based on Boldini's intriguing portrait of Marthe de Florian.
The findings have also raised numerous questions, such as the baffling reason why the last owner decided never to return to this charming apartment, filled with a copious amount of precious furnishings and works of art. The answer will remain a mystery, but although it may be the most curious, it's surely not the last one yet to be resolved.
H/T: themetapicture.com
Cover image courtesy of depositphotos
Tailing the Cat: A Timeline of Black Cats' Misfortune
In this article, we are tracing the timeline of black cats and luck.
Nostalgia - '70s Teenagers Recalling the Good Times
These groovy 70's teenagers, now proud parents and grandparents, sit for a chat with their younger relatives to compare adolescence now and then.
This is The OLDEST American Motorcycle Company
Of these 10 motorcycle manufacturers, only 2 are operating today. Can you guess the two?
15 Historical Photographs Very Few Have Seen
This collection of fantastic historical photos will leave you intrigued.
Celebrities of the Past In the Most Fascinating Photos
These rare images capture celebrities, royalty and scientists as you've never seen them before. Be sure to check out this extended picture gallery.
These Beautiful Antique Items Have Been Touched by History
Antique objects can bear extra value. They are beautiful, durable, and hold historical significance. Here are 20 stunning antiques we'd love to own!
These Stunning Bridges Are Definitely Worth a Visit
There is no doubt that bridges add a special flair to their locations. Here are 10 of the world's most beautiful bridges!
Let These Wonderful Photos Fill Your Day with True Joy
These pictures tell some beautiful stories, and all of them unite to make you feel that life is a joy!
The Great Wall of China as You’ve Never Seen It Before
High definition drone capture of the Great Wall of China
These Photos Have Amazed the World...
From the epic majesty of our galaxy to the pure, simple beauty of a tortoise interacting with a butterfly, these photos are wonderful.
15 Gripping Images Reflecting the Duality of Life on Earth
A look at a collection of digital collages that show how some people from different regions have completely opposite lives from one another.
15 Amazing Images Documenting the Wonders Found Underwater
These photos won the 2018 World Photography Competition and after you see them you'll understand why....
10 Tips for Getting the Best Out of Your Photos
Do you want to know how to take better travel and vacation shots than anyone you know? Read these 10 tips and never look back.
The Gorgeous and Colorful Waves of Adam Duffy
Adam Duffy is a photographer has done something few have been able to: Give justice to the stunning beauty and color of the ocean's waves. His incredible photos will bring joy to your eye and your soul.
25 Photos That Tell an Amazing Story
Extraordinary photos from recent years who have really made an impact on all who see them.
Have You Ever Seen Giants Things & Creatures Like This?
Some things are so disproportionately large relative to others that it's enough to boggle the mind. Here are 12 very large creatures and things.
21 Historical Pics That Open a Visceral Window to the Past
Old photographs have a special value to them - they allow us to take a glimpse into the past and experience what life was like long before we came into being.
These Amazing Shots Show the American West In a New Light
The American West has been photographed many times, but never quite like this. Enjoy Niaz Uddin's stunning aerial shots of this stunning region.
These Fantastic Inventions Can Improve Everyone's' Lives!
Here is a collection of awesome inventions that you didn’t know you needed, and they are complete genius due to their simplicity. Take a look!
These Things Are So Big That They Almost Beggar Belief
There are creatures and architecture that are on a relatively normal scale, and there are those that are just massive. Take a look at these 20 photos.
See Just How Much Women's Fashion Changed In 200 Years
Fashion changes all the time, but how much it does change is even more remarkable when viewed from the perspective of centuries. Take a look.
15 Incredible Photos of the World Underwater
Thousands of talented photographers registered for the British competition of the underwater photographer of the year!
These Bathroom Sinks are Not Designs You See Every Day
Modern designers have cleverly invented some of the most creative and fun washbasin designs you’ll lay your eyes across.
20 of the Most Perfectly-Timed Pictures Ever Taken
These have to be the most perfectly-timed pictures ever. Some are hilarious, others painful, and others will just cause amazement at how they were captured.
These Underwater Photos Are Bound to Leave You in Awe!
Check out some of the most outstanding entries from 2018's Underwater Photographer of the Year contest. which will make you wonder just how many other wonders and horrors are lurking deep beneath the surface of the ocean.
These 17 Unique Bird Photos Reflect Each Bird’s Character
This photographer is extremely skilled at capturing the unique character of each bird, take a look at these 17 vivid and majestic photos by her
Have You Seen These Beautiful Churches?
Churches are beautiful and peaceful places that always manage to put me in a relaxed state of mind. Perhaps it is their beauty or their design, but this amazing feeling is even more powerful at these 22 most iconic and majestic of churches.
2022 Wrap-Up: Trends in Interior Design and Architecture
We're wrapping up 2022's hottest trends in architecture, construction, and interior design. Jump in for inspiration!
Rare Photos From Decades Gone By Show What Life Was Like
Take a look at a collection of rarely seen photos from decades gone by. These photo show how far mankind has progressed.
The 25 Coolest Movie Posters Ever Made
Movie posters from the 1900s had a different charm. Let’s check out the best ones from that era.
These Multi Portrait Photos Date Back to the Late 1800s!
Back in the early 1900s this new technology, known as 'trick-mirror' photos, were thought to be the future of portraiture.
These Photos Are REAL? Yep, They Sure Are!
No images will bend and bamboozle your mind as much as these 19, completely real photos. Can you work out what was going on here?
18 Photos Displaying The USA’s Beautifully Wild Nature
Check out 18 pictures that'll expose you to the wild and beautiful nature of the United States, which will change everything you thought about this country!
Don’t Confuse These Glorious Pictures of Nature for Paintings
The next 17 pictures, don’t need an artist's touch, and although you might mistake it for painting, these pictures depict nature itself is in all its splendor.
Step Inside Some of the World's Most Stunning Mosques
Mosques are a place of worship. They are places in which class, wealth, status and ethnicity disappear. Take a look at 10 of the world's most beautiful mosques.
The Art of Timing Photos is Mesmerizing! #9's My Favorite
A moment or two later and these photos would be ordinary photos instead of works of arts.
Discover How Some Really Famous Images Were Staged
The images you're about to see are some of the most famous from the 19th and 20th centuries, but they're all fake! Here they are.
These Photos Were Captured Just at the Right Moment...
These amazing photos were each shot at exactly the right moment for hilarious, beautiful and incredible photographs. Take a look!
15 Photos of Afghanistan Like You've Never Seen It Before
These photos shed a light on a troubled country, to show us the lighter and beautiful side of Afghanistan. Take a look for yourself!
15 Famous People In History That Were Really Good-Looking
A collection of 15 vintage photos that prove that some of the famous figures in history were quite attractive...
15 Creative Design Ideas That Will Make Our Lives Simpler
In this collection of pictures, you will see some simple yet innovative designs that are made to make our life simpler.
Here Are 14 of the Funniest Wildlife Pictures You Will See
Sometimes wild animals can be pretty amusing without realizing it and these hilarious pictures show them at their funniest!
A Collection of Ancient Trees 14 Years in the Making...
This beautiful project took a decade and a half to complete, but what beauty was captured will live on forever. Take a look for yourself.
The Universe's Greatest Photographs: 12 Contest Winners
Have a look at these stunning photograph winners from Wikipedia's tenth annual photography contest. They'll blow your mind.
Then & Now: Stars Side by Side Their Own Childhood Photos
These images make it seem as though celebrities are casually hanging out with themselves as kids, and it's pretty fascinating to see!
These Famous Clock Towers are a Sight to Behold!
These famous clocks do more than just tell time. They are an architectural highlight, drawing in throngs of tourists. Let's take a look.
15 Rare Photos That'll Change the Way You See the World!
These photos spread light on our surroundings, reminding us that even simple things can be extraordinary. Take a look!