This wonderfully expressive santo is carved and painted by Jose A. Orta Rivera of Ponce, PR (one of the 5 children of Don Domingo Orta, who are carvers.) The piece is both signed and dated by the artisan.
The figure with the base measures just about 7 1/4" tall and is painted with a somewhat distressed look that is characteristic of this artisan.
San Francisco, or Saint Francis of Assisi, is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. He and Catherine of Siena are the patron saints of Italy. He was one of the first saints to receive the "stigmata" and the found of a number of religious orders. His feast day is October 4th, a day when Anglican and Catholic churches often hold blessing of animals.
The figure with the base measures just about 7 1/4" tall and is painted with a somewhat distressed look that is characteristic of this artisan.
San Francisco, or Saint Francis of Assisi, is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. He and Catherine of Siena are the patron saints of Italy. He was one of the first saints to receive the "stigmata" and the found of a number of religious orders. His feast day is October 4th, a day when Anglican and Catholic churches often hold blessing of animals.