The first thing to know about this LEGO Art set is its impressive size. Measuring 21 inches high and 16 inches wide, it's approximately 60% the size of the original painting. This makes it large enough to be a bit unwieldy when you're picking it up, emphasizing its status as a significant piece of art.
Out March 1### LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
0$199.99 at LEGO StoreThis set is designed to be taken seriously, not just as a tribute to one of the world's most famous artworks, but as a piece of art in its own right. It's meant to be displayed in your home, marking LEGO's continued evolution from a mere adult curiosity to a respected adult hobby.
LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
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Vincent van Gogh painted his iconic series of Sunflowers during his time in Arles, France, a period marked by prolific creativity. Van Gogh had a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, associating it with gratitude. He considered it his artistic muse, as he wrote in a 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, van Gogh created four versions of sunflowers in a vase, and revisited this theme in January 1889, producing a repetition of the third version and two different repetitions of the fourth version.
Among these seven paintings, the fourth version and its two repetitions are the most renowned. The original fourth version (F454) is displayed at the National Gallery in London, England. One repetition (F457) can be seen at the Sompo Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan, while the other repetition (F458), known for its vibrant color composition, is showcased at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Established in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to create the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, which pays homage to the F458 repetition. This set is crafted as a three-dimensional relief, using abstract pieces to mimic van Gogh's distinctive thick brushstrokes.
Upon opening the box, you'll find 34 numbered bags and a printed instruction booklet with a QR code. Scanning this code leads to a podcast that delves into van Gogh's life and the inspirations behind his work.
I found the build's real-world practicality to be a highlight. You start by constructing the painting's frame, which you can lean against the wall while you work on the canvas. The canvas, complete with the painting, is then built and mounted into the frame, secured with pins. This process adds a personal touch, mimicking the real-life staging and presentation of art, and subtly enhances the set's perceived value and importance.
An intriguing Easter egg is hidden within the canvas's construction. Art experts discovered that van Gogh extended the height of the canvas with a wooden strip during the painting process to give the sunflowers more space. LEGO cleverly replicates this detail by having you build the canvas and then attach a separate strip at the top with pins. This detail, circled in red in the photo below, is made with brown bricks to resemble wood.
This seemingly minor detail adds a layer of authenticity and exclusivity to the build. It's a subtle nod to the imperfections and creative process of a master artist, known only to the builder, who can choose whether to share this secret with others.
Building the full-bloom sunflowers can be a bit tedious, but it's a necessary part of achieving such a realistic representation. The repetitiveness mirrors van Gogh's meticulous approach to his work. Take breaks and enjoy the process; this isn't a set to rush through. Instead, savor the experience and get your money's worth.
I particularly enjoyed constructing the wilting flowers and those shown in profile. Initially, they seemed abstract and random, but stepping back revealed their true form as stems and leaves, adding depth and context to the piece.
A common question among adult LEGO enthusiasts is, "Where do you display your sets after building them?" For this set, the answer is clear: on my dining room wall. This set is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and knowing exactly where it will go adds to the anticipation and enjoyment. Even a week after completing it, I still find new details to appreciate. This is the first great LEGO set of 2025, and it comes highly recommended.
LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Set #31215, retails for $199.99 and consists of 2615 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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