if you dont want to distribute system.app thats depends on what functions you have in use.
system.app is built from a set of more 600 APIs gdi32,gdiplus,...constants,...

1-if you have a little use in your project one solution is to cut some APis declarations
and constants and code directly with these to achieve your functions. then no need to
distribute gdiplusX.
2-there is also a system_lean.app shipped in the gdiplusX project (~light system.app).
3-you can use vfp9 native gdiplus.vcx (its in vfp9 IDE -no need to redistribute)
4-you can use old gpimage.prg (70ko ~) and embed it directly in the project.its limited but
it can work in many domains.(Initially there is Alex.Bogoliev gpimage more light
downloadable in UT : https://www.levelextreme.com/Report.aspx?Report=11&Numero=18584)
its free and you can add some functions wanted.Just must test.
Regards