LEGO Unveils Van Gogh's Sunflowers with Hidden Art Surprise

The first thing to know about the LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers set is its impressive size. At 21 inches high and 16 inches wide, this set is approximately 60% the size of the original painting, making it large enough to be a bit unwieldy when handling.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

Priced at $199.99, available at the LEGO Store, this set is not just a playful tribute to one of the world's most renowned artworks; it's a statement piece meant to be hung as art in your home. LEGO's evolution from a mere adult curiosity to a serious adult hobby is evident in the craftsmanship and presentation of this set.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

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Vincent van Gogh's deep emotional connection to sunflowers is well-documented. During his time in Arles, France, he painted his famous series of Sunflowers, associating them with gratitude and viewing them as an artistic muse. In a letter to a friend, he wrote:

"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 with repetitions of the third and fourth versions.

Of these seven paintings, the fourth version and its repetitions are the most celebrated. The original fourth version (F454) is showcased at the National Gallery in London, England. One repetition (F457) is displayed at the Sompo Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan, while the other (F458), known for its vibrant color composition, resides at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

In partnership with the Van Gogh Museum, established in 1973, LEGO released the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, which pays homage to the F458 repetition. This set is designed as a three-dimensional relief, using abstract pieces to mimic van Gogh's distinctive thick brushstrokes.

Opening the box reveals 34 numbered bags and a detailed instruction booklet, complete with a QR code linking to a podcast about van Gogh and the inspirations behind his work.

The building process is both practical and engaging. You start by constructing the painting's frame, which you can lean against a wall while you work on the canvas. The canvas, featuring the painting, is built next and then mounted into the frame, secured with pins. This mimics the real-life process of art presentation, enhancing the set's value and significance.

An intriguing Easter egg is embedded within the canvas construction. Art historians discovered that van Gogh extended the canvas height with a wooden strip during the painting of F458. LEGO cleverly replicates this by having you add a separate strip to the top of the canvas, using brown bricks to simulate wood.

This detail, while imperceptible to casual viewers, adds a layer of authenticity and exclusivity for the builder, mirroring the trials and errors of a master artist.

The process of building the full-bloom sunflowers can be tedious, reflecting the meticulousness van Gogh himself employed. It's advisable to take breaks during the build, as this set is not meant for speed-building but rather for savoring the experience.

The wilting flowers and those viewed in profile add an abstract touch that becomes coherent when stepping back to view the entire piece. The realism and depth achieved through these elements are truly remarkable.

When asked where to display such a set, the answer is straightforward: on my dining room wall. This set is designed with a clear purpose in mind – to be displayed and admired. Even a week after completion, I find joy in noticing the three-dimensional details that emerge each time I look at it. This is the first exceptional LEGO set of 2025 and comes highly recommended.

The LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Set #31215, consists of 2615 pieces and is exclusively available at the LEGO Store for $199.99.