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 11" tall and is painted with a somewhat distressed look that is characteristic of this artisan.
Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude, "brother of Jesus", but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple and later the betrayer of Jesus.
In the Roman Catholic Church he is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.
Saint Jude's attribute is a club. Here he is also shown with a flame around his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles. He is also holding an image of Jesus Christ, in the image of Edessa.