Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum has teamed up with the Lego Group on a new Lego set inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers (1889).
Per a press release, the new masterpiece in Lego bricks was designed to create a 3D version of the iconic artwork focusing on the three shades of yellow used by Van Gogh and the artist’s famous use of light and shade.
The set features the 16 sunflowers of the painting with adjustable petals, a removable frame, a tile with Van Gogh’s signature and a hanger element to display.
Rob Groot, managing director of the Van Gogh Museum, said: “It was wonderful to see how Lego Group and the experts of our museum have collaborated with such attention to detail and appreciation for the original artwork.”
He added: “We hope this Lego set will inspire and engage new audiences with the art and life story of Vincent van Gogh.”
While putting the Sunflowers-inspired set together, builders can listen to a new podcast created with the Van Gogh Museum featuring senior curator Nienke Bakker and Lego designer Stijn Oom, available from 1 March at Lego.com, YouTube and Spotify.
Oom said in a statement: “Working on one of the world’s most famous paintings can be quite daunting, but recreating Sunflowers has been a dream come true.
“We collaborated closely with the Van Gogh Museum and its experts, delving into the details to meticulously craft a 3D version of the original artwork.”
New masterpiece in Lego bricks
He added: “One of the most challenging yet crucial aspects was translating the impasto effect into Lego bricks while preserving the painting’s asymmetrical yet balanced composition.”
To celebrate the launch of the new product on 1 March, two brick replicas of the painting will be permanently displayed in Amsterdam’s Lego Store and the Van Gogh Museum.
As part of the collaboration with Lego, the museum will offer themed activities throughout this year.
The Lego Group previously partnered with New York‘s Museum of Modern Art on a Lego set that recreated Van Gogh’s The Starry Night (1889).
Images courtesy of Lego and the Van Gogh Museum
