The Neapolitan Visionary: The Rise of Paolo de Matteis In the vibrant, sun-drenched landscape of seventeenth-century Italy, a new light began to emerge from the humble surroundings of Piano Vetrale. Paolo de Matteis, an artist whose name would become synonymous with the opulent grandeur of the Baroque, embarked on a journey that would reshape the visual identity of Naples and Rome. His early years were defined by rigorous training under Francesco di Maria, yet it was his profound apprenticeship with the legendary Luca Giordano that truly ignited his creative spirit. From Giordano, de Matteis…