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We Build LEGO Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers, Which Contains a Hidden Surprise for Art Lovers

by Gabriella Apr 24,2025

The first thing to know about this LEGO build 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 not only a significant piece but also somewhat unwieldy to handle when you're picking it up.

Out March 1

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

0$199.99 at LEGO Store

This set is designed to be taken seriously, serving as a tribute to one of the world's most renowned artworks. It's meant to be displayed in your home as art, marking an important evolution for LEGO from a mere adult curiosity to a sophisticated adult hobby.

LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers

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Vincent van Gogh created his iconic series of Sunflowers during his time in Arles, France, a period marked by prolific artistic output. Van Gogh felt a profound emotional connection to the sunflower, viewing it as a symbol of gratitude and an artistic muse. In a letter to a friend, he famously remarked:

"If [Georges] Jeannin has the peony, [Ernest] Quost the hollyhock, I indeed, before others, have taken the sunflower."

In August 1888, van Gogh completed four versions of sunflowers in a vase, and in January 1889, he revisited this theme, creating 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 housed 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) – often considered the most iconic due to its vibrant color composition – is displayed 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, which pays homage to the F458 repetition. The set is designed as a three-dimensional relief, utilizing 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 complete with a QR code. Scanning this code directs you to a podcast that delves into van Gogh's life and the inspirations behind his work.

I appreciated the build's practical approach to real-world application. Initially, you construct the painting's frame, which I completed and leaned against the wall while awaiting the next step. Then, you assemble the canvas with the painting on top of it.

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, enhancing the sense of value and importance of the finished set.

There's a delightful Easter egg hidden within the canvas's construction. Art experts discovered that van Gogh added a wooden strip to the top of the canvas late in the painting process to give the sunflowers more room. LEGO playfully replicates this detail by having you build the canvas first, then attach a separate strip at the top using pins. You can see this detail circled in red in the photo below. The designers even used brown bricks to mimic the look of wood.

This seemingly unnecessary detail adds a layer of charm and exclusivity to the build. It's a subtle nod to the imperfections even masters encounter, known only to the builder, who can choose whether to share this secret with others.

Building the full-bloom sunflowers can be tedious, but it's unavoidable given the level of detail required to achieve such a convincing look. The repetitive nature of the task echoes van Gogh's meticulous approach to his work. It's best to take breaks and enjoy the process, as this isn't a set you'd want to rush through.

I particularly enjoyed constructing the wilting flowers and those depicted in profile rather than head-on. Initially, they seemed abstract and random, but stepping back reveals their role in creating the overall composition.

A common question I receive from other adults is, "Where do you display your LEGO sets after building them?" For this set, the answer is straightforward: it's proudly displayed on my dining room wall. This is the perfect mindset for potential builders to adopt. Knowing exactly where it will go adds to the anticipation and ensures you'll enjoy it long after completion. A week since finishing it, I still find joy in discovering new three-dimensional details each time I look at it. This is the first great LEGO set of 2025 and 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.