The Old Story 1993

Michael Hafftka created this oil on canvas, "The Old Story," sometime after his birth in 1953, though we don't have the exact date. The image presents two nude figures in what appears to be an intimate setting. The figures are depicted with an expressive, almost tormented style, which is typical of Hafftka's work. His art often grapples with themes of human suffering, alienation, and the darker aspects of the human condition. Hafftka, influenced by expressionism, uses the human form to explore interior emotional states. To understand this painting more deeply, we might research the cultural context of expressionist art and the social issues that it engaged with. Understanding the institutional history of galleries and museums that have exhibited Hafftka's work can also offer insight into how his art is perceived and valued by the art world. By examining these elements, we can grasp the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression.