We Build LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Which Contains a Hidden Surprise for Art Lovers

This LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers set is substantial: 21 inches high and 16 inches wide—about 60% the size of the original painting. Its size makes it a statement piece, demanding to be displayed as art rather than just a collectible. This reflects LEGO's ongoing evolution from a children's toy to a sophisticated adult hobby.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

Out March 1 $199.99 at LEGO Store

Vincent van Gogh created his renowned Sunflowers series while residing in Arles, France, a highly productive period in his artistic journey. He deeply connected with the sunflower, associating it with gratitude and viewing it as a powerful artistic muse, as evidenced by his letter to a friend:

"If [Georges] Jeannin has the peony, [Ernest] Quost the hollyhock, I indeed, before others, have taken the sunflower."

In August 1888, he painted four sunflower versions. He revisited the motif in January 1889, producing a repetition of the third version and two more of the fourth.

The fourth version and its repetitions are the most famous. The original (F454) is at London's National Gallery; one repetition (F457) is at Tokyo's Sompo Museum of Art; and the other (F458), arguably the most iconic due to its vibrant colors, is at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.

Established in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to create this set, a tribute to the F458 repetition. It's a three-dimensional relief using abstract pieces to mimic van Gogh's distinctive brushstrokes.

The 34 numbered bags and instruction booklet (including a QR code linking to a podcast about van Gogh) provide a structured build. The frame is constructed first, then the canvas. Finally, the canvas is mounted and secured with pins—a clever touch mimicking the real-world art presentation process.

A delightful detail is the inclusion of a wooden strip at the canvas top, mirroring a discovered addition to the original F458 painting. LEGO humorously replicates this seemingly insignificant detail using brown bricks, a subtle nod to the original's imperfection. This hidden element adds a unique touch for the builder.

Building the sunflowers is somewhat repetitive, reflecting van Gogh's meticulous approach. However, the detail pays off, creating a realistic and satisfying result. Take your time; this is not a set to rush.

The wilting flowers and those shown in profile are particularly well-executed. Initially appearing abstract, they reveal their detail upon stepping back, demonstrating the overall composition's coherence.

The finished set's placement is obvious: on a wall. This is a set to be enjoyed long after completion. Even a week later, the three-dimensional details continue to reveal themselves. This is a superb LEGO set, highly recommended.

LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Set #31215, retails for $199.99 and contains 2615 pieces. It's available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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See it at Amazon

See it at Amazon

See it at Amazon