Marcus Aurelius distributes bread and medicine to the people - Joseph Marie Vien

Booklet from the 1765 Salon:

"By M. Vien, Professor.
18. Marc-Aurele having bread and medicine distributed to the people in a time of famine and pestilence.
This Painting, 9 feet 8 inches, by 8 feet 4 inches, is intended for the Galerie de Choisy."

Mathon de la Cour, p. 18:

"M. Vien's principal painting represents Marc-Aurele, who has remedies & food distributed in a time of famine & plague: we see expiring women, & weeping children. Marc-Aurele appears in their midst as a helping God. The Guards & Soldiers surrounding him shower his blessings on all sides. This painting is destined for the Choisy gallery.
This gallery is a fine project, Monsieur. Never before have the arts been put to more noble use under the panelling of Kings: we shall see neither battles nor triumphs, neither the crimes of the Gods nor the fury of Conquerors; but precious lessons in benevolence and virtue. It will be a monument dedicated to the memory of good Princes; a monument far more useful than all those intended for famous Warriors. For it is more necessary than one might think to show what true glory consists of. Without the praise lavished on Alexander, Caesar would not have turned the world upside down."

Mercure de France, October 1765, p. 158-159:

"M. Vien has also contributed to the decoration of the Choisy gallery, by a subject very-convenient to the moral point of this respectable ensemble. He has represented Marc-Aurele, personally distributing food, medicine, & money to the people in a time of plague & famine.
The necessary sadness of this subject's aspect, the severity of the Painter's great manner, are admirably compensated by the excellent parts of the art he has employed. of the art he has employed. These more commendable parts than the vulgar thinks, have already long ago made a reputation for this Artist; not only do they sustain it, but they confirm it; but they must extend it still further by this last piece. This is the opinion of the healthiest part of amateurs & of his most famous colleagues. The public, to whom great merit never entirely escapes, has also seen this painting with attention, & has seemed generally satisfied with it.
Although it has been noted before us, we cannot fail to observe the appropriateness & beauty of the choice of subjects for this gallery. When one cherishes propriety, when one keenly feels its price, how sweet it is to think that the pleasure house of the best of Kings, of the Father of the subjects of whom he is adored, will bear all the characters of the temple of beneficence, tracing the principal traits of kindness of the Gods of humanity!"