<!-- canonical: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petros-vrellis -->
<!-- robots: noindex -->

# Loom-Woven Renaissance Art
Petros Vrellis Knits an El Greco Using a Computer Algorithm

By Joey Haar | Published 2016-07-31 | Art & Design
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petros-vrellis
References: [sploid.gizmodo](http://sploid.gizmodo.com/watch-an-artist-recreate-a-renaissance-style-portrait-w-1784445706) & [saatchiart](http://www.saatchiart.com/vrellis)

Artist Petros Vrellis combines a primitive loom and string knitting technique with an advanced [computer algorithm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loklik-ipaint) to create Renaissance-inspired artwork. Like most renowned painters from his generation, El Greco, a Greek painter from the Spanish Renaissance, painted immensely rich and detailed landscapes and portraits. Petros Vrellis' [knitted work](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knit-series) is able to replicate the lushness of an El Greco using only string and a circular loom.

According to Vrellis' website, the work is knitted with a [single piece of thread](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olga-de-amaral) that loops around the pegs as many as 4,000 times and has a total length of up to 2 kilometers. Though the actual knitting is done by hand, the artist uses an algorithm to dictate the peg locations step by step. There are over 2 billion calculations necessary to output an image, which Petros Vrellis notes is "not much of a load for today's computers, but definitely an impossible task for the human brain."

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.1/10
- Popularity: 26% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **Algorithmic Art:** Incorporating computer algorithms into art creation, opening up opportunities for unique and complex visual expressions.
- **Artistic Automation:** Combining traditional crafting techniques with automated processes, revolutionizing the creation of intricate artistic works.
- **Digital Replication:** Using digital tools and techniques to faithfully replicate the aesthetics of famous historical artworks.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Textile Art:** Bringing innovation to the world of textile art by leveraging computer algorithms to create intricate and mesmerizing pieces.
- **Artificial Intelligence:** Exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and artistic creation, pushing boundaries in both fields.
- **Technology-enhanced Painting:** Revolutionizing the traditional art of painting with the integration of technology, allowing for new artistic possibilities.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Math-Inspired Colorful Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weave-collection.md)
- [3D Automated Knitting Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-knitting-machine1.md)
- [Neurodiversity-Exploring Textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interwoven-project.md)
- [Hand-Knit Sci-Fi Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handknit-scifi-sculpture.md)
- [Interactive Weaved Jacquard Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dung-dkar-cloak.md)
- [Optical Illusion Textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lenticular-weave.md)
- [Craft-Inspired 3D-Printing Styles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digitally-woven.md)
- [Glass Beaded Intricate Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition.md)
- [Sculptural Knitted Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-knitted-objects.md)