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Abstract:  Pietro Paolo Avila, an aristocrat of Spanish origin who lived in Rome during the seventeenth century, assembled a prestigious art collection, mentioned by Bellori and described in a Rubricella written 1657. An examination of this inventory and the comparison with other documents has made it possible to establish that the collector is the same Avila who commissioned Antonio Gherardi to design and carry out the restoration of the family chapel in Santa Maria in Trastevere in 1680. The Rubricella gives particular attention to the attributions; it lists the names of the principle artists of the seventeenth century, while it is rather vague and, at times, totally lacks, a description of the works themselves. Honorary member of the Accademia di San Luca in 1676 and three years later Capitoline curator, he also had frequent relations with the Roman Curia due to two illustrious relatives, Cardinal Cecchini and Monsignor Girolamo Avila and because of having worked in the service of a Cardinal Orsini, probably Virginio. A study of the available documents reveals the collector’s entourage and his possible relations with the artists. Pietro Paolo Avila was the last descendent of the Roman branch of the noble family, but at his request the name Altoviti was joined to the name Avila.