Santos Zingale is known for his depictions of rural and urban social landscape concerning the destruction of Milwaukee's old neighborhoods. He was considered a social and radical artist.

Born Santos Ision Jackson Zingale in Milwaukee, WI in 1908 to Sicilian immigrant parents. Zingale attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College and shared a studio space with Alfred Sessler in the 1930s. With his education from the MSTC, Zingale taugh art at Milwaukee County Day School and the Young Pioneers school from 1931-1934. During the Depression, Zingale participated in the Public Works of Art Project and the Federal Art Project. In 1943, he received his Masters of Education from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. After graduation, Zingale served in the US Navy on the USS Bremerton where he continued to make sketches during his service.
Following his service, Zingale was hired as a professor of art at his alma mater - University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he taught until his retirement in 1978. After retirement he was awarded emeritus status.

Santos Zingale died in Madison, WIsconsin in 1999.

Museum of Wisconsin Art; Gallery of Wisconsin Art; Wisconsin Veteran Museum Archive; University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives;