the legs of the figures creating a rather vertical quality. In addition, the shoulders of the

figures curve down in a similar fashion and the way in which the pallium wraps around

some of the figures is very similar. Most of the figures in the relief panel have the collar

motif on their garments, which is similar to its correlating motif in the Bible ofAvila.

 The next scene on folio CCCXXV r depicts the Ascension of Christ (Fig. 82).

According to Yarza Luaces, in the miniatures of the 11Ith and 12th centuries of Castile and

Leon, the theme of the Ascension is very popular (Fig. 83).216 An example of the

Ascension can be found in the already mentioned Antiphonary of Leon (folio 240) (Fig.

84), in the south transept tympanum of the church of San Isidoro of Leon from the early

12th century (Fig. 85). But the tradition in the north of Spain seems to be somewhat

different to what we have in the Bible ofAvila, which seems to follow Hellenistic

counterparts. The iconography on the examples mentioned has Christ being carried to

Heaven by angels. In the Antiphonary of Leon and in the relief panel of Santo Domingo

de Silos some of the Apostles are located underneath Christ and their heads are looking

upwards. The example from San Isidoro does not have the Apostles.

 In terms of style, the Ascension in the Antiphonary of Leon has no similarities

with the Bible ofAvila. The style is more geometric, and less natural. On the other hand,

the second example that comes from the tympanum at San Isidoro of Leon has a number

of similarities with the Bible ofAvila. The stronger similarities are the linear and soft

curving style of the drapery; the figurative style, where the proportions of the figures are

similar, and the linear pattering of the hairstyle.


216 Yarza Luaces, J., Iconograjia de la 2iniatura Ca;stellano-Leonesa,~~11~11~~1 1973, p. 32.