Frozen in time, an exquisite Parisian apartment, cloaked in dust and brimming with turn-of-the-century wonders, has emerged as a captivating journey into the past. Locked away for seven decades, this untouched abode came to light three years ago following the passing of its 91-year-old owner, Mrs. De Florian.

Having fled to the south of France before the outbreak of World War II, Mrs. De Florian never returned to her residence in the French capital’s 9th arrondissement. Over the subsequent 70 years, it appeared that not a soul had ventured inside. Nestled between the notorious Pigalle red light district and the Opera, this hidden gem near a church held secrets waiting to be unveiled.

A team of experts embarked on the task of cataloging the possessions that adorned this remarkable time capsule. Among the treasures, a painting by the 19th-century Italian artist Giovanni Boldini stood out. Stepping into the apartment, expert Olivier Choppin-Janvry likened the experience to stumbling upon Sleeping Beauty’s castle, where time had seemingly halted in 1900. The air carried the scent of old dust, setting the stage for an extraordinary discovery.

Choppin-Janvry’s heart skipped a beat as he encountered a mesmerizing tableau featuring a woman in a pink muslin evening dress. The painting, a creation of Boldini, depicted Marthe de Florian, a stunning French actress and socialite of the Belle Époque. She was not only Boldini’s muse but also the grandmother of the apartment’s owner.