Abstract of Thesis Presented to the Graduate School
 of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the
 Requirements for the Master of Arts

 THE CYCLE OF THE LIFE AND PASSION OF CHRIST INT THE BIBLE OF AVILA

 By

 Monica Ann Walker-Vadillo

 May, 2004

Chair: David Stanley
Major Department: Art and Art History

 The Bible ofAvila is a 12th century manuscript whose origins can be traced to the

Umbro-Roman region in Italy, from where it traveled to Spain sometime during the third

quarter of the 12th century. Once it reached Spain, it was completed with the texts of

Esdras 3-5, and the Psalms. In addition, three folios were incorporated at an unknown

date. These folios have made the Bible ofAvila famous since they depict the largest

pictorial cycle of the Life and Passion of Christ in manuscript illumination found in

Romanesque Spain. Yet for all its renown, the Bible remains a mystery. Many scholars

have cited the Bible of Avila and the Cycle, but none have attempted to study them

carefully.

 The Cycle of the Life and Pa~ssion of Christ in the Bible of Avila presents some

unique qualities that make it an exceptional case study. While there are inscriptions

identifying the individual scenes and figures, no text accompanies this cycle. The

iconography of some scenes seems to have no precedent in Spain. In addition, the Cycle

contains some compositional elements that are full of originality. This presentation deals