Santos Zingale  (1908-1999)

Santos Zingale was a well-known and widely respected Wisconsin artist and teacher of art. He was born in Milwaukee and studied at Milwaukee State Teachers College (MSTC) under highly regarded artists Gustave Moeller, Robert Von Neumann, Elsa Ulbricht, and Howard Thomas. He was affiliated with federal art programs as early as 1937. He created several murals in Wisconsin---in Sturgeon Bay, Racine, and at Marquette University. According to “WPA Artwork in Non-Federal Repositories (Edition 2)” he created work for the WPA at various times during the years 1935-1942. I suspect there are probably other WPA works that are unrecorded. He received a master degree in education from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and began teaching art there in 1946. He worked with John Steuart Curry when Curry was artist in residence at UW-Madison. Zingale retired from UW-Madison in 1978.

Santos Zingale exhibited widely. In Wisconsin, with the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors beginning in 1930; with the Wisconsin Salon of Art beginning in 1937, into the 1950’s, and in other venues such as the Wisconsin Centennial Exhibition of 1948. He also exhibited numerous times around the United States.

Santos Zingale  "Scrub Ladies"  lithograph, 7 1/4"h x 8 3/4"w, signed, no date.

 

Santos Zingale  "The Thing"  lithograph, 8"h x 9 3/4"w, signed, 1938.

There is a record of a painting and print titled "Junk Man"---maybe the same image?

 

 

Santos Zingale  "On Relief"  woodcut, 11 1/2"h x 9"w, signed, no date.

 

 

Santos Zingale  "Lodi"  lithograph, 11 1/4"h x 17"w, state 1, ed. 21, signed, no date.

Lodi is a town near Madison, Wisconsin.

 

 

Santos Zingale  "Blackhawk No 1"  lithograph, state 1, ed. 10, signed, 1950.

 

 

Santos Zingale  "Air Raid"  woodcut, 12"h x 9 1/2"w, signed, 1937.

I have seen this print with the tittle "Refugees."

 

 

Santos Zingale  "Cigar Sniper"  lithograph, 7 1/2"h x 9 1/2"w, signed, 1937.

 

 

Santos Zingale  untitled etching (?), 7"h x 7 1/2"w, 1/1, no date.

The signature on this print seems to be authentic. However, the subject and technique is unusual for Zingale. So is the small edition. I found it in Wisconsin. Maybe someone can verify this print.

 

 

Santos Zingale  untitled oil on canvas, 23 1/4"h x 36 1/2"w, signed, 1934 (or 1939)

This is nearly identical to a painting at the Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, titled "Fall." It is on the cover of an exhibition catalog called "Wisconsin's New Deal Art."

 

 

Santos Zingale "Madison Gas and Electric"  oil on canvas, 23 1/2"h x 29 1/2"w, signed, ca 1950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Howard W. Thomas (1899-1971) was born in Ohio and studied art at Ohio State University, followed by study at the Art Institute of Chicago. He began teaching art to high school students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1923, continuing to 1930. He was director of the art education department at Milwaukee State Teachers College (MSTC) from 1930-1936. In the later 1930’s, I believe Thomas was head of the WPA art program in Milwaukee. Right now I can’t locate my documentation for that, but I believe it to be accurate. By the mid 1940’s Thomas had moved south, first at the University of North Carolina, and then the University of Georgia, where he spent the rest of his career.

While at MSTC, Thomas was exposed to other teachers in the art department, most notably Carl Holty. Holty was already making modernist art, and Thomas was influenced by Holty. Thomas mostly worked in the modern idiom after WWII. The University of George held an exhibition for Thomas (possibly after his death), and they produced a nice catalog, albeit a slim one. I can’t seem to locate that right now, either, unfortunately. As I recall, it mostly pertained to his later work.

Thomas’s Wisconsin years were very active in the local art community. He was a member of the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors and also the Milwaukee Printmakers. He exhibited with both of them many times. He also participated in many national exhibitions. He exhibited at the Milwaukee Journal Gallery of Art, which operated from 1924-1931.

 

Howard W. Thomas "Jones Island, Seventeen"  oil on board, 16"h x 20"w 1937

Jones Island is in Milwaukee. This painting has two exhibition labels.

The Art Institute of Chicago "American Paintings and Sculpture" show (no year)

The "National Exhibit of American Art" in New York City, 1939

 

 

Howard W. Thomas "Wells Street Bridge" (Milwaukee) linocut 9.75"h x 5.25"w, signed, no date

 

 

Howard W. Thomas "Still Life"  woodcut, 6"h x 5"w, signed, 5/6, 1936

This print was featured in the Milwaukee Printmakers Artist Calendar for 1936.

 

 

Howard W. Thomas  "Jones Island"  woodcut, 4"h x 5"w, unsigned, 1936

This print was also featured in the 1936 calendar.

 

 

Howard W. Thomas  "Indian Pony" linocut, 4"h x 5"w, signed, 24/24, 1938

 

 

Howard W. Thomas "Farmer with Chew" woodcut, 7.5"h x 6"w, signed, 5/5, no date

A nearly identical print by Thomas appeared in the 1936 Wisconsin Artist Calendar with the title "Jefferson County Farmer."

 

 

Howard W. Thomas "Nauvoo Hollow"  wood engraving, 6"h x 7.5"w, signed, 3/24, no date

This print appeared in the 1938 Wisconsin Artist Calendar.

 

 

Howard W. Thomas untitled ("Monday In Wick Haven") linocut, 6"h x 5"w, unsigned, no date

This print appeared in the 1937 Wisconsin Artist Calendar, with the title.

 

 

Howard W. Thomas "White Horse"  color etching, 7"h x 9.75"w, estate signed, 1952

 

 

Howard W. Thomas  "Swallows Come Out"  lithograph, 11.25"h x 14.5"w, signed, no date