"Women cannot be useful to the progress of the arts” – declared the French Academy, in its ban.

But.. Adélaïde Labille-Guiard was admitted in 1783 patronised by the King, strategically pivoted to the Republic, & also advocated for women's inclusion.

In this "Self-Portrait with… pic.twitter.com/T0Wd1vxhN4

— Alice Evans (@_alice_evans) November 30, 2025

Lord, look at the detail on that satin. I cannot even begin to imagine how to do that. Lady had skill.