If there’s one thing that we at Nerdist love about LEGO (one of MANY, but one), it’s that it is an incredibly versatile medium. LEGO has understood that all kinds of fandoms want to go on its zen, community-oriented, brick-building adventures, and, as such, has set off on a fantastical quest to create sets for all kinds of passionate folks. A LEGO set can take you to a galaxy far, far away, it can transport you to an elven realm, it can send you sailing on the high seas, and it can EVEN let you delve into the world of fine art. Of course, if you ask me, there is no finer work of art than LEGO Rivendell. But even I must admit that The LEGO Group’s takes on high art have yielded some of the most gorgeous sets ever. Most recently, LEGO captured the incredible beauty of Claude Monet’s Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies in brick form. And the result is something that can stand up to the very masterpiece itself. We took one look at LEGO’s take on Monet and thought, “Hey, that deserves to hang in a museum.” And evidently, The Metropolitan Museum of Art thought the same, because it invited LEGO’s take on Monet’s Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies to hang in its hallowed halls, right in front of the original painting. (And invited us to enjoy both art forms together.)
It is always a privilege to see the wondrous works of man with our eyes. But for us nerdy folks, it becomes even better when fandom comes into the mix. And that’s exactly how we felt as we took in Monet’s Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies juxtaposed with LEGO’s rendition of the work. Both were wonders in their own right. Monet’s work needs no introduction or explanation; it is inherently and incredibly special. A spectacular achievement of texture, color, and vision. But there’s something truly inspired about seeing a LEGO version of the artwork, one that anyone can take home, build, and hang, to receive a touch of the impressionist magic of Monet all their own.
LEGO, indeed, took many notes from the artist. LEGO’s Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies works to create layers or bricks that mimic the way Monet layered paint on a canvas. As the brand shares, “Pay homage to Claude Monet and assemble the bricks in delicate hues of green and blue to evoke Monet’s layered application of paint in this Impressionist masterpiece. Create slender willows and rounded water lilies, as well as the iconic arched footbridge stretching across shimmering water.” And indeed, there is a riot of color and texture in this build—gorgeous pastel hues mix with dark greens and olives, as smooth bricks meld with textured ones, and different shapes and dimensions blend in along the way. (We loved the butterflies most of all.)
As a representative from The Met shares, “For Monet, it was a new innovation at the time to have all these colors available to him, and he used them to create these really incredible juxtapositions. As you get closer, you can really see it’s these intense juxtapositions that are used to create a harmonious view from afar. As you build the set, you’ll really get that experience of creating new layers and introducing new colors to the composition in a way that is so evocative of Monet’s creative vision.”
And, much like Monet likely did not have a plan for every brushstroke, LEGO’s version of the Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies invites you to get impressionistic with it yourself. You can follow LEGO’s set of instructions, of course, but you can also paint a book to add a touch of your own magic into the work. And, of course, LEGO has thought of everything as usual. The build is specially crafted so you can hang it on your wall or display it on an easel when you’re done painting with bricks.
Seeing the two versions of the painting together really helped these details stand out. And while your visit to The Met probably won’t include the LEGO version immediately in front of Monet’s painting, you can check out a super cool display in the gift shop closest to Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. There, you’ll see an incredible creation by Nathan Sawaya, who spent 192 hours putting 61,989 LEGO bricks together, to create a larger-than-life replica of Monet’s painting that you can actually stand in. The Met reveals this is the first LEGO installation ever displayed at the museum. With the actual LEGO Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies set being the second, naturally.
And if you’re not in NYC, well, you can still snag LEGO’s Monet build today, as well as some incredible Van Gogh sets, that will bring all the wonder of these painters into your home.
Our conclusion: LEGO is taking over the world, and we love it.