In June 2022, LEGO released the Ideas series set "21333 Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night", and I was immediately captivated by its stunning color composition. The Toy People editorial team is thrilled to once again have the opportunity to build another classic masterpiece by the renowned Dutch post-impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh: "Sunflowers"! Join us today as we explore the charm of the LEGO Art series "31215 Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers".
Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" is a series of still life oil paintings created in 1888 and 1889. This LEGO artwork of "Sunflowers", a collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is based on the version painted by Van Gogh in January 1889 in Arles, in the Provence region of southern France. It's worth noting that Arles is a sun-drenched place. It is said that Van Gogh went to the south of France to chase the scorching sun, and the French word for sunflower, tournesol, means "sun of the earth."
▼ The front of the box features a nearly full-bleed print of the main artwork, "Sunflowers". You can also see the title "Sunflowers" along with the LEGO and Van Gogh Museum logos.
▼ Turning to the back, you'll find lifestyle photos shot by LEGO, which convey the strong presence of this LEGO artwork. It also includes the set's specifications, a print of the original "Sunflowers" painting, close-ups from different angles, and more.
▼ The completed LEGO "Sunflowers" measures 54 cm in length and 41 cm in width.
▼ The top of the box shows the artwork from an approximately 45-degree angle from above, along with a 1:1 scale illustration of the printed Vincent van Gogh signature piece. The overall packaging is similar to a standard model kit box with a full lift-off lid. I've added another new packaging style to my collection!
▼ And as expected, opening it up reveals it's packed with paper parts bags. This set contains a total of 2615 pieces, including 34 numbered parts bags and 4 unnumbered gray baseplates.
▼ One instruction manual. The content includes a brief biography of Van Gogh, the historical context of the "Sunflowers" series, and an explanation of the techniques Van Gogh used in the series from the perspective of French painter Paul Gauguin. Each passage is concise and gets straight to the point, allowing toy fans to quickly get to know Van Gogh and his "Sunflowers".
▼ In addition to "Sunflowers", the manual also features other classic paintings by Van Gogh.
▼ Other content includes the origin of the Van Gogh Foundation, words from Van Gogh to his brother Theo, the LEGO design team's concept for this "31215 Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers" set, and a podcast you can listen to while building.
▼ Now, let's start building!!
▼ Complete!
For any work of art, the final appearance is certainly spectacular, but the process of creating it stroke by stroke is also quite fascinating. So, let's take a look at the details of assembling this "Sunflowers" piece. First is the complete first layer, where all the baseplates are connected, like brushing on the base colors. This can be seen as the foundational tone of the painting.
Aside from the large areas of pale yellow and the chrome yellow at the bottom fifth, you can see many reserved sections in different colors, all in preparation for the sunflowers to come.
▼ You can see how LEGO uses a wide variety of arrangements and combinations to create the base of this "Sunflowers" artwork.
▼ The priceless printed signature piece appears!
▼ Among the 16 sunflowers in this set, there are several different building styles. I personally love this version that incorporates a large number of gold parts.
▼ A building technique for connecting two sunflowers.
Alright! Let's now admire the finished "31215 Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers"! Van Gogh's treatment of light and shadow in "Sunflowers" is not only represented in this set by using parts of various colors, but is also enhanced by the use of varying heights and layers, reinforcing the painterly technique of emphasizing light and shadow contrast. It's fascinating to view from every angle.
▼ Comparing the LEGO version with the original painting, you can appreciate the LEGO designers' skill and artistry in every detail.
▼ Next, let's take a look at the details of the LEGO "Sunflowers". Even the golden sunflowers built with similar techniques have a wide variety of petal constructions. Not to mention, the set also features sunflowers created with other building methods, making it visually very interesting.
Besides hanging it on the wall, I personally think it also looks great simply placed on a shelf and leaned against a wall. This allows you to freely choose the display angle, playing with light and shadow to further enhance the charm of this LEGO "Sunflowers"!
LEGO 31215 Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers Review Summary:
This LEGO version of "Sunflowers" not only allows you to enjoy the fun of building various types of sunflowers, but the process of filling the canvas brick by brick is also very therapeutic. Once the entire painting is complete, it's fantastic whether you're viewing it up close to appreciate the designers' masterful use of LEGO parts and their unbridled creativity, or admiring the entire piece from a distance. It's truly a beautiful work of art to display in your home. It feels like a must-have to collect alongside the previous "21333 Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night"!
However, there's one question I still couldn't find a definitive answer to after finishing the build. In Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings, there are typically 15, 14, or 12 sunflowers. Although the official website describes this LEGO artwork as having 16, no matter how I count, I can only find 15. Interested toy fans should investigate this as well, and let's find the answer together!
LEGO 31215 Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
Suggested Retail Price: NT$6,999
Total Pieces: 2615
Estimated Release Date: March 1, 2025
LEGO 31215 Art Series "Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers" Giveaway Winner List
- Lin Pei-Yin
Congratulations to the winner above! Thank you to all our toy fans for your enthusiastic support. The prize will be shipped within 1-2 weeks. Please keep an eye out for the package. If it is returned due to failure to receive, it will not be re-sent!
LEGO 31215 Art Series "Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers" Giveaway
LEGO has specially prepared a set of the LEGO 31215 Art Series "Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers" to give back to the loyal readers of Toy People! From now until February 27, as long as you 'Like' the 'Toy People' fan page, share this article on your Facebook, and fill out the form below, you'll have a chance to win one set of the LEGO 31215 Art Series "Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers"! Don't miss this opportunity, toy fans!
Event Period: February 20, 2025 – February 27, 2025, 12:00 PM
Giveaway Entry Form: https://forms.gle/QeMWfFSay2ewH7sA8
How to Enter:
１．'Like' the 'Toy People' fan page
２．Share this post: Leave your thoughts on the LEGO 31215 Art Series "Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers"
３．Fill out the 'Form'. Complete the steps above to enter the drawing. (Remember to fill out the form!)