Oil Study: Cadmium Red Medium 1973

In Marcia Hafif’s "Oil Study: Cadmium Red Medium," we see a square awash in vibrant red, a color that pulses with life. Cadmium red—conjures flames, blood, passion, and danger. This singular pigment, cadmium red, echoes the symbolic weight of red found throughout art history. Think of the robes of Christ or the Virgin Mary, where red signifies divine love and sacrifice. Or recall the red banners of revolution, emblems of courage and defiance. The color vibrates with primal energy, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This simple square connects us to a deep well of collective memory. Like a recurring dream, this hue resurfaces through time, evolving in meaning, yet retaining its power.