Marcia Hafif's Late Roman Paintings at Larry Becker Contemporary Art in Philadelphia

Marcia Hafif presented her series 'Late Roman Paintings' at Larry Becker Contemporary Art in Philadelphia from May 5 to July 7, 2012. The exhibition featured austere monochromes inspired by late Roman fresco colors, which Hafif mixed herself using pigments like permanent red dark, viridian tint, and French yellow ochre tint. Some works included white pigment to lighten hues, noted as 'tint' in the checklist. Hafif, an American artist in her mid-80s with a stronger reputation in Europe, lived in Italy for eight years early in her career, influencing this body of work dating to the mid-1990s. The small paintings were hung uniformly to ensure a consistent viewing experience regardless of height, occupying the storefront gallery space effectively with their somber, matte presence. Daylight from the street window allowed viewing under both natural and artificial light, offering distinct visual encounters. Hafif belongs to a generation of monochromatic painters who emerged in the 1970s and early 1980s, aligning somewhat with Minimalists but maintaining independence. Her work connects contemporary art to historical painting techniques, emphasizing purist expression and craftsmanship in contrast to less historically engaged art. She is currently working on her archives.