Absolutely, that was the intent - given that all of the participants in the picture were artists of notoriety themselves at that time.  Certainly not to the extent of Manet but I'm sure they figured "one can always hope..."

At any rate, I'm especially fascinated by women who transcended the restrictive norms and stereotypes of that (or any) time period.  Miller used her considerable beauty as leverage - and good for her - she was a brilliant artist who might otherwise never had been known.  Hillary Clinton is transcending (hell, she's leaping over them) now, and no matter what the outcome the significance is profound.

The woman facing us in the picture (her name was Ady Fidelin) I think she's a dead ringer for a young Sigourney Weaver.