The first thing to note 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 large enough to be considered unwieldy when handling, but it's a testament to its grandeur and the seriousness with which LEGO treats this homage to one of the world's most renowned artworks. This set isn't just a collectible; it's designed to be displayed as art in your living space, marking a significant step in LEGO's journey from a curiosity for adults to a respected adult hobby.
Out March 1### LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
0$199.99 at LEGO StoreThe size and scope of this set demand that it be taken seriously. It's not just a tribute to one of the most famous artworks in the world; it's meant to be hung as art in your home, highlighting LEGO's evolution from a mere adult curiosity to a legitimate adult hobby.
LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
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Vincent van Gogh's most celebrated series of Sunflowers was created during his time in Arles, France, a period marked by prolific artistic output. Van Gogh had a deep emotional connection to the sunflower, viewing it as a symbol of gratitude. He famously claimed the sunflower as his own muse, stating 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 painted four versions of sunflowers in a vase, returning to the motif in January 1889 to create a repetition of the third version and two different repetitions of the fourth version.
Of these seven paintings, the fourth version and its two repetitions are the most iconic. The original fourth version (F454) is showcased 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), celebrated for its vivid color composition, resides at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Established in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum collaborated with LEGO to launch LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, a tribute to the F458 repetition. 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 an instruction booklet with a QR code. Scanning this code leads to a podcast exploring van Gogh's life and inspirations.
I appreciated the set's practicality in real-world settings. First, you assemble the painting's frame, which I leaned against the wall while I continued building. Next, you construct the canvas with the painting on it.
You complete the set by mounting the canvas into the frame and securing it with pins. This process mirrors the real-life staging and presentation of art, enhancing the set's perceived value and importance.
An intriguing Easter egg is hidden within the canvas construction. Art historians discovered that van Gogh extended the height of the canvas with a wooden strip during the later stages of painting F458, ensuring the sunflowers had sufficient space.
LEGO cleverly replicates this detail in the set. You first build the canvas as a single piece, then attach a separate strip at the top with pins, using brown bricks to mimic the wood's appearance.
This seemingly minor detail adds a delightful touch of authenticity and exclusivity for the builder, reminiscent of the trials and errors faced by even the greatest artists. It's a subtle feature that only the builder would notice, yet it enriches the overall experience.
Building the full-bloom sunflowers can be a bit tedious, but it's necessary for achieving such a lifelike representation. The repetition 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 viewed in profile. Initially, they appeared abstract, but stepping back revealed their true form as stems and leaves within the overall composition.
The most common question I receive from fellow adults is, "Where do you display your LEGO sets after building them?" For this set, the answer is clear: on my dining room wall. This set is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and knowing exactly where it will go adds to the anticipation. Even a week after completing it, I still find joy in examining the three-dimensional details that catch my eye.
This LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers set, designated as Set #31215, comprises 2615 pieces and is priced at $199.99. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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