Edited by Stefano Antonello Aumenta

In 1871 Edward Tylor defined an individual's cultural heritage as the sum total of knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities acquired by man in his relations with the world around him.

This definition could not have been a better introduction to this very personal reflection of mine.
In my opinion, this painting can be considered the first report of whistleblowing ever made.
The author of the painting is Paolo De Matteis: he was born in the Piana di Orria, province of Salerno on February 9, 1662. His father, despite knowing his passion for painting, enrolled him in the school of letters as it was considered more profitable.
After a few months, young Paolo begged his father to let him return to painting, otherwise, he told him, he would be wasting the family money.
His father, impressed by his intellectual and moral honesty, supported him, and Paolo became a student of Luca Giordano and other art masters of the time. Among other things, an exhibition featuring works by Paolo De Matteis and other art masters of the time will be held at the headquarters of Banca 2021 in Vallo della Lucania, from December 28 to January 6, 2022. A silver-plated copy of a sculpture by Paolo De Matteis, "Saint Sebastian," will be on display for the first time. The original was stolen in the last century and never recovered.

But let's return to the Whistleblower Report. The painting depicts the Allegory of the Peace of Utrecht and the Peace of Rastadt, celebrating the end of hostilities over the succession to the throne of Naples, sealed by the accession of Charles VI, former Habsburg candidate for the throne of Spain. Of the original canvas, now in Capodimonte, only the central section with the self-portrait remains: knowing his polite and attentive upbringing, it seems strange to me that he portrayed himself in a dressing gown and slippers. But what struck me was the expression on Paolo's face and, above all, his gaze.

The Peace of Rastadt was an agreement signed in 1714 by Louis XIV of France and Charles VI, Archduke of Austria and King of Hungary, in the German town of the same name, to end the conflict between the two rival states in the War of the Spanish Succession. It was effectively an appendix to the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), which neither Austria nor the Holy Roman Empire had signed, despite having participated with representatives in the negotiations. The Holy Roman Empire also settled the dispute a few months later with the Treaty of Baden. With this treaty, the South passed, due to someone else's war, from Spanish to Austrian rule, overnight, with the approval of all the powers that be, an absolutely illicit act. As we all know, whistleblowing, or reporting of alleged wrongdoing, is a system for preventing corruption introduced by Law No. 100 of 6 November 2012. 190 "Provisions for the Prevention and Repression of Corruption and Illegality in Public Administration." Law No. 179 of November 30, 2017, containing "Provisions for the Protection of Reporters of Crimes or Irregularities of which they have become aware in the context of a public or private employment relationship," strengthened the protection of public employees who, in the interest of the integrity of the Public Administration, report to the Head of Corruption Prevention and Transparency or to the National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) or report to the ordinary judicial or accounting authorities, unlawful conduct of which they have become aware in the context of their employment relationship. Obviously, with all due distinctions made, Southern Italy was used as a bargaining chip, a bit like a virtual currency. Nowadays, Paolo De Matteis was certainly commissioned to paint the painting, and he did so with his obsessive technical and evocative perfection. However, it is from the "stern" look that shines through in his self-portrait within the scene that De Matteis signals the illicit activity: for this reason, I personally consider him the first whistleblower in history.

In this column, we host monthly reflections from our AML Certified Graduates.
AML Certified Graduates interested in publishing their paper can send it to: ppgad@pucrs.br