LEGO is expanding its Art collection with a brick-built tribute to Gustav Klimt's iconic “The Kiss".
The new LEGO Art Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (31221) features 4,000 pieces and reimagines the celebrated masterpiece as a layered wall display, making it the largest release in the LEGO Art lineup and the first inspired by the Austrian artist.
In the design of this set, LEGO opted for a layered construction that gives the artwork a sense of depth.
Metallic gold bricks are combined with spirals, floral accents, rounded tiles and raised elements that project from the base, creating a textured surface that catches light differently from every angle.
The technique is also praised as an ode to Gustav Klimt's own experimentation with gold leaf and mixed media during his celebrated Golden Period, when he sought to blur the line between painting and sculpture.
The interplay of colour and texture undoubtedly plays a large role in bringing the model to life. With gold tones dominating the background of the composition, the varied brick shapes in the foreground concurrently recreates the flowing decorative motifs that define the original painting.
Painted between 1907 and 1908, The Kiss is the defining work of Klimt's Golden Period. The Art Nouveau masterpiece depicts an embracing couple surrounded by ornate patterns and shimmering gold leaf, drawing inspiration from Byzantine mosaics and Japanese decorative arts.
The set was developed in collaboration with Vienna's Belvedere Museum, which has been home to Klimt's masterpiece since 1908, ensuring the design remains faithful to the original painting.
At more than 60cm tall, 54cm wide and 4cm deep, the completed piece is designed for wall display with a built-in hanging mechanism.
QR codes in the instruction booklet also unlock an exclusive podcast exploring Klimt's life, artistic influences and the story behind “The Kiss”.
LEGO Art has previously celebrated iconic works by renowned artists, including Keith Haring's Dancing Figures, Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers and, most recently, Claude Monet's The Water Lily Pond, which debuted in February.
The LEGO Art Gustav Klimt The Kiss set will be available through the LEGO website from Aug 4 for US$299.
