In the second register of folio CCCXXIIII v, Christ, His head framed by a cross

halo, is presented wrapped in a red and blue garment that flows behind Him.94 He is

located on the left of the register grasping Adam's right arm with His left hand while He

holds the cross of the Resurrection in His right hand. Adam and the Old Testament

prophets emerge completely nude from the fauces of a terrifying Leviathan,95 Or the

Mouth of Hell.96 Serpentine tongues of fire wrap the bodies of the Prophets pulling them

back, while a number of dark devils are trying to restrain the rest of the figures and send

them back to hell through the mouth of the Leviathan. The face of the leviathan occupies

the right side of the register. Out from its red eyes flow tears of fire. One inscription

identify les this scene. The inscription, hic dns frang portals inferni (here the Lord breaks in

pieces the gate of hell), is located out side the frame, on top of the cross of the

Resurrection that Christ holds.97 According to Yarza Luaces, the Bible ofAvila represents

the traditional Castilian interpretation of the Harrowing of Hell, with the 12th century

formula of Christ opening the fauces of the leviathan and pulling the Just from Hell. This







94 This is the first and only instance in which the background of a scene has been painted
with an intense red. According to Rodriguez Velasco, "Iconografia del Nuevo
Testamento de la Biblia de Avila," 1999, p. 362, the red is employed as a reminder of the
most horrible punishment that Hell had to offer: fire.

95 JUSt as Jonah emerged from the Leviathan after three days. (Jonah 2: 1-11).

96 Rodriguez Velasco, "Iconografia del Nuevo Testamento en la Biblia de Avila," 1999,
pp. 362-263.

97 Rodriguez Velasco, "Iconografia del Nuevo Testamento en la Biblia de Avila," p. 362,
mentions that even though the inscription points to the destruction of the Gates of Hell
portalss inferni), the illumination does not depict them.