Women artists have been traditionally undervalued in an art world heavily dominated by men. In the 18th century, two women artists rose to the forefront of the French art scene, answering prestigious commissions from aristocratic and royal patrons. The careers of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun and Adélaïde Labille-Guiard are no short of impressive and surprising. Both artists were amongst the first women to be admitted to the French Royal Academy in 1783 and while it has often been written that the two were rivals, it is time to reconsider this story as it was likely one of admiration.