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LEGO Unveils Van Gogh's Sunflowers Set with Hidden Surprise for Art Enthusiasts

Author：Kristen Update：May 13,2025

The first thing to know about the LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers build 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 handling, but perfect for displaying as a piece of art in your home.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

Available for $199.99 at the LEGO Store

This LEGO set is not just a playful tribute to one of the world's most famous artworks; it's a statement piece meant to be hung as art. It represents LEGO's ongoing transition from a mere adult curiosity to a respected adult hobby.

Vincent van Gogh painted his iconic Sunflowers series during his time in Arles, France, a particularly fruitful period in his career. He had a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, associating it with gratitude and viewing it as a personal 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 the theme in January 1889, painting 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 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 repetition (F458), notable for its vibrant colors and composition, is showcased at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Established in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to release the LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, a tribute to the F458 repetition. This set features a three-dimensional relief using abstract pieces to mimic van Gogh's distinctive thick brushstrokes.

Opening the box, you'll find 34 numbered bags and a printed instruction booklet with a QR code. Scanning this code leads you to a podcast discussing van Gogh's inspirations and artistic journey.

I appreciated the build's practicality. You start by constructing the frame, which can be leaned against a wall while you work on the canvas, complete with the painting itself.

The final step involves mounting the canvas into the frame and securing it with pins, adding a personal touch that echoes the real-life process of staging and presentation, enhancing the set's perceived value and importance.

An intriguing Easter egg is hidden in the canvas's construction. Art historians discovered that van Gogh extended the canvas height with a wooden strip during the painting of F458. LEGO cleverly replicates this detail by having you build the canvas first and then add a separate strip at the top using pins, with brown bricks mimicking the look of wood.

This subtle detail, imperceptible to casual observers, adds an exclusive touch that only the builder would appreciate, reflecting the trial and error even a master like van Gogh experienced. It also offers a unique element of personal connection and exclusivity.

Building the full-bloom sunflowers can be tedious, but that's part of the experience; van Gogh himself didn't take shortcuts. Take breaks and savor the process, as this isn't a set to rush through. The joy lies in the meticulous detail.

I particularly enjoyed the depiction of wilting flowers and those shown in profile, which initially seemed abstract but revealed their true forms when viewed from a distance.

A common question among adult LEGO enthusiasts is, "Where do you display your sets once built?" With the LEGO Sunflowers, the answer is simple: on my dining room wall. This set is designed to be displayed, adding both beauty and a conversation piece to any space. A week after completing it, I still find new details to appreciate.

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