When the LEGO® Art theme was first launched it focused on mosaic-like images of pop culture icons. Each buildable image followed a similar style to create a wall-mountable picture and also offered the ability to combine sets to create larger images. But as the theme has evolved so too have the sets and the latest lets builders replicate a true masterpiece. Following LEGO Ideas’ take on a Van Gogh classic, it’s the turn of Leonardo Di Vinci and his world-famous portrait, the Mona Lisa. Following its reveal earlier this year, the set is finally revealed next month and here’s an early look at the LEGO Art Mona Lisa.
Product Details
Set Name: Mona Lisa | Set Number: 31213 | Pieces: 1503 | Theme: Art
Number of Bags: Bags x 10 (plastic) | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A
RRP: £89.99/$99.99/99.99€/169.99AUD/129.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO Retailers
Italian artist Leonardo Di Vinci painted the Mona Lisa in the early 1500s. Following the artist’s death, the Mona Lisa was acquired by the Kingdom of France and remains on display in the Louvre. The Mona Lisa is considered one of the most famous pieces of art in the world. Its cultural significance is partly why it is the perfect subject for a LEGO Art set. You can learn about the history of the Mona Lisa in the set’s instruction booklet. But even more details on both the set and the artwork which inspired it can be found on the accompanying ‘soundtrack’. All LEGO Art sets have offered an audio component, which can be accessed by scanning the QR code in the instructions. (This wasn’t available at the time of reviewing the set)
The build begins with the ornate frame, which uses many golden drum lacquered elements. These line the edges of the frame and give it both a textured finish and result in a genuinely realistic-looking frame. Often, ‘fake’ golden items look a little cheap and tacky but it has the opposite effect here as the frame perfectly compliments the picture it holds. Although it’s not an exact match of the actual frame found on the Mona Lisa, it still pairs nicely when married with the rest of the picture.
The original LEGO Art sets all used the newly introduced 16×16 brick plates. These one-brick-high boards created a sturdy base to create the image on but resulted in a weight mass once connected. The Mona Lisa uses smaller and thinner plates to create the surface of the image. The top section features a hook element, which allows the picture to be hung on a wall. The element used for the hook comes from the DOTS range. As it’s integrated into the back of the picture, you will need a long nail or screw to place it on.
Once the surface plates are connected, they offer a canvas to add the Mona Lisa. This is crafted from a selection of different elements. Mostly flat tiles and plates of varying shapes. In certain sections of the image, those elements are layered to help capture the detail of the Mona Lisa. Despite some interesting angles, the process of adding these features is quite simple, yet, they are very effective. One of the final aspects of the set you add is Mona Lisa’s face. This uses three printed tiles to add her eyes and mouth. There is also the odd inclusion of blank versions of the elements used for the eyes. Adding these seems a little pointless.
With the picture complete, it’s time to frame it. The ‘canvas’ section slots into the back of the frame and is then held in place with a series of brown Technic axle pins. These can easily be removed by simply pushing them back through from the rear side of the set. The instructions suggest you can use the frame to create your own artwork.
For some reason, I expected the picture to be bigger. Most likely due to the scale of other sets. Although it’s smaller, it’s the perfect size. The use of tile and plates does a surprisingly good job of creating the famous image of the Mona Lisa. It’s a stylised take on the image but it captures the essence of the world-famous artwork. It’s also more vibrant than the original which has yellowed over time. The original Art sets were fun, but I much preferred building this style of set. It offers a much more varied build and another interesting use of LEGO elements to create a unique LEGO display piece.
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This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for this review. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
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