Irregular Horizontal Bands of Equal Width Starting at Bottom - Sol LeWitt

A geometric composition by Sol LeWitt, featuring rhythmic, multi-coloured bands arranged in a systematic zig-zag pattern.

Sol LeWitt, a central figure in the development of Conceptual Art and Minimalism, produced this work as part of his systematic exploration of geometric form and colour. The composition relies on a set of predetermined rules, a hallmark of LeWitt's practice, where the artist prioritises the idea or plan over the physical execution. By establishing a specific logic for the placement of bands, he removes subjective decision-making from the process of creation.

The visual output consists of a series of horizontal bands, each of equal width, which traverse the paper in a zig-zag pattern. The bands originate from the bottom edge and move upwards, creating a rhythmic, repetitive structure. The colour palette is deliberate, featuring saturated tones of red, yellow, orange, blue, and black. These colours are applied with a flat, opaque quality, typical of gouache, which emphasises the two-dimensional nature of the surface.

LeWitt often utilised such series to investigate the possibilities of line and colour within a constrained framework. The work does not attempt to represent the physical world, nor does it rely on traditional notions of composition or balance. Instead, it presents a clear, logical progression of form. The interaction between the angular lines and the chosen colours creates a sense of movement across the page, despite the static nature of the medium. This piece reflects LeWitt's interest in the relationship between the artist, the instruction, and the final object. It is a clear example of his method of using simple, repeatable elements to generate complex visual results, inviting the viewer to engage with the underlying structure of the image rather than searching for symbolic meaning.