The first thing to note about the LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers set is its impressive dimensions. Standing at 21 inches high and 16 inches wide, this build is approximately 60% the size of the original painting. Its size makes it a bit unwieldy to handle, but that's part of its charm and seriousness as an artistic piece.
LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
Priced at $199.99 and available exclusively 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, designed to be displayed in your home as genuine art. As LEGO evolves from a curiosity to a serious adult hobby, this set marks an important milestone in that journey.
Vincent van Gogh painted his iconic series of Sunflowers during his time in Arles, France, a period marked by prolific creativity. He had a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, associating it with gratitude and considering it his 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. Among these seven paintings, the fourth version and its two repetitions are the most celebrated. 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 (F458), known for its vibrant colors and iconic status, is housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Van Gogh Museum, established in 1973, collaborated with LEGO to bring the F458 repetition to life in the form of the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set. 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.
The build process is 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, complete with the painting, is then mounted into the frame and secured with pins, adding a personal touch that mirrors the real-life process of staging and presentation, enhancing 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 subtle imperfection, highlighted in brown bricks to mimic wood, is circled in red in the photo below.
This detail, though imperceptible to casual observers, adds a layer of authenticity and exclusivity for the builder. It's a nod to the trial and error that even a master like van Gogh experienced, and it's a secret that the builder can choose to share or keep.
Building the full-bloom sunflowers can be tedious, but it's a necessary part of creating such a convincing replica. The repetitiveness mirrors van Gogh's meticulous approach. Take breaks and savor the process; this isn't a set to rush through.
I particularly enjoyed constructing the wilting flowers and those shown in profile. Initially, they seemed abstract, but stepping back reveals their purpose as stems and leaves, adding depth and realism to the piece.
A common question among adult LEGO enthusiasts is, "Where do you display your sets?" For this set, the answer is clear: on my dining room wall. This set is designed to be enjoyed long after completion. A week after finishing 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 comprises 2615 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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