Ruth Leavitt (American, 1944–2025) Herringbone Variation V, c. 1970s
Serigraph on paper (computer-generated design)
Artist's proof
Signed 'Ruth Leavitt' and titled 'Herringbone Variation V' in the lower margin, inscribed 'Artist Proof'.
The Pettis Collection of Computer Art
PION.2026.130
Description
A computer-generated herringbone composition — chevron line-fields in gold on deep blue, realized as a serigraph (artist's proof). Leavitt described how the series was built: an 8×8 grid of the letter Y, alternate rows inverted to form the herringbone pattern, then pulled out of shape with her interactive stretching program, which treated the design like a rubber sheet — Herringbone Variation V is the perspective, relief-like result. The date is an estimate; the Herringbone Variations date from roughly 1974–76.
Sources: http://dada.compart-bremen.de/item/artwork/754 · https://www.atariarchives.org/artist/