Charles MEYNIER (Paris 1768-id. 1832) Saint Vincent de Paul preaching charity to the women of the court of Louis XIII (1824) Oil on canvas. In the upper part: Our parents had abandoned us/God took us in. Signed lower right Meynier. 49.3 x 61.1 cm. Reinterlining. Preparatory sketch for the painting kept in the Saint - Vincent de Paul Chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John of Lyon (today the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament) and exhibited in the Salon of 1824 (no. 1218). The commentary in the Salon's libretto details the subject at great length and gives the names of the persons from the court of Louis XIII represented, including the Duchess of Aiguillon, niece of Cardinal de Richelieu, shown on the left, "with her hands outstretched towards the children" (Cf. Isabelle Mayer - Michalon, Charles Meynier, catalogue of the work, P. 79, pp.159 - 160 - Arthena 2008).