On the topology of graph picture spaces

Abstract We study the space X d (G) of pictures of a graph G in complex projective d-space. The main result is that the homology groups (with integer coefficients) of X d (G) are completely determined by the Tutte polynomial of G. One application is a criterion in terms of the Tutte polynomial for independence in the d-parallel matroids studied in combinatorial rigidity theory. For certain special graphs called orchards, the picture space is smooth and has the structure of an iterated projective bundle. We give a Borel presentation of the cohomology ring of the picture space of an orchard, and use this presentation to develop an analogue of the classical Schubert calculus.