Home News LEGO Unveils Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers with Hidden Art Surprise

LEGO Unveils Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers with Hidden Art Surprise

Author : Max Update : Apr 11,2025

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 not only a substantial piece but also somewhat unwieldy to handle.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

Out March 1
$199.99 at LEGO Store

This set's size and scope demand to be taken seriously. It's a tribute to one of the world's most famous artworks, yet it also deserves to be displayed in your home as art. This distinction marks LEGO's evolution from a mere adult curiosity to a respected adult hobby.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

Vincent van Gogh painted his iconic Sunflowers series during his time in Arles, France, a period marked by prolific creativity. Van Gogh had a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, viewing it as a symbol of gratitude. 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, revisiting the motif in January 1889 with three more repetitions.

Of these seven paintings, the fourth version and its two repetitions are the most renowned. 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) – celebrated for its vibrant color composition – is housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Founded in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to release the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, a homage to the F458 repetition. This set is designed as a three-dimensional relief, utilizing abstract pieces to mimic van Gogh's distinctive thick brushstrokes.

Upon opening the box, you'll find 34 numbered bags and an instruction booklet with a QR code linking to a podcast about van Gogh and his inspirations.

The build process is practical and engaging. You start by constructing the frame, which you can lean against a wall as you continue. Next, you assemble the canvas with the painting on it.

You complete the set by mounting the canvas into the frame and securing it with pins, adding a personal touch that mirrors the real-life process of art staging and presentation, enhancing the set's value and importance.

An intriguing Easter egg is hidden in the canvas construction. Art experts discovered that van Gogh extended the canvas height with a wooden strip during the painting of F458. LEGO playfully replicates this detail by having you build the canvas and then attach a separate strip at the top with pins, using brown bricks to simulate wood.

This subtle detail, though imperceptible to casual observers, adds a layer of authenticity and exclusivity to the build, reflecting the trials and errors of a master artist.

Constructing the full-bloom sunflowers can be tedious, but it's a necessary process to achieve the realistic look. Van Gogh himself didn't cut corners, and neither should you. Take breaks and savor the build; it's not meant to be rushed.

The wilting flowers and those in profile are particularly enjoyable to build. Initially, they seem abstract, but stepping back reveals their context and beauty.

A common question among adult LEGO enthusiasts is, "Where do you put the set after building it?" With this set, the answer is clear: on your dining room wall. Knowing its future display spot adds to the anticipation and enjoyment, even after completion. A week after finishing it, I still find new details to appreciate.

This LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, numbered 31215, comprises 2615 pieces and retails for $199.99. It's available exclusively at the LEGO Store.