LEGO Unveils Vincent 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. Standing at 21 inches high and 16 inches wide, it's approximately 60% the size of the original painting. This makes it large enough to be somewhat unwieldy to handle, yet perfect for displaying as a striking piece of art in your home.

Out March 1### LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

0$199.99 at LEGO StoreThis set's size and scope command attention, marking it as a serious tribute to one of the world's most renowned artworks. It's designed to be hung as art, highlighting LEGO's evolution from a casual adult curiosity to a respected adult hobby.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

93 ImagesVincent van Gogh painted his iconic series of Sunflowers during his time in Arles, France, a period of prolific creativity in his life. He felt a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, associating it with gratitude, and saw it as a muse, as he noted 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. He revisited this theme in January 1889, painting a repetition of the third version and two different repetitions of the fourth version.

Of the seven paintings, the fourth version and its two 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. The other repetition (F458), considered the most iconic due to its vivid color composition, is housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Established in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to produce the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, paying homage to the F458 repetition. The set is crafted as a three-dimensional relief, using abstract pieces to emulate van Gogh's distinctive thick brushstrokes.

Upon opening the box, you'll find 34 numbered bags and a printed instruction booklet, which includes a QR code. Scanning this code leads to a podcast exploring van Gogh's life and the inspirations behind his work.

I was impressed by the build's practical approach. You start by constructing the painting's frame, which can be leaned against the wall while you work on the canvas with the painting.

You complete the build by mounting the canvas into the frame and securing it with pins. This process mimics the real-life staging and presentation of art, subtly enhancing the set's perceived value and importance.

An intriguing Easter egg is hidden within the canvas' construction. Art experts discovered that van Gogh extended the height of the canvas with a wooden strip during the later stages of painting F458 to give the sunflowers more space.

LEGO playfully replicates this imperfection in the build. You first construct the canvas as a single piece, then attach a separate strip at the top with pins. This detail, highlighted in red in the photo below, is created using brown bricks to mimic wood.

This seemingly minor detail adds a delightful touch, known only to the builder. It reflects the trial and error inherent in creating a masterpiece and provides a sense of exclusivity, as the builder can choose whether to reveal this secret.

The process of assembling the full-bloom sunflowers can be repetitive, but this mirrors van Gogh's meticulous approach. Take breaks to enjoy the experience fully; this set isn't meant to be rushed.

I particularly enjoyed building the wilting flowers and those shown in profile, which initially seemed abstract but made sense when viewed from a distance.

The most common question I receive from other adults is, "Where do you display a LEGO set after building it?" With this set, the answer is clear: it's proudly displayed on my dining room wall. This set is designed with a specific purpose in mind, enhancing its appeal. Even a week after completing it, I continue to appreciate its three-dimensional details.

The LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Set #31215, is priced at $199.99 and comprises 2615 pieces. It's available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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