LEGO Art 31208 Hokusai – The Great Wave officially revealed

The LEGO Group has officially revealed 31208 Hokusai – The Great Wave, the first – and so far only – LEGO Art set launching in 2023.

Blending together two LEGO Art approaches – the traditional framed mosaic of sets like 31205 Jim Lee Batman Collection and 31207 Floral Art, and the three-dimensional relief effect of 31206 The Rolling Stones – 31208 Hokusai – The Great Wave captures one of the most recognisable pieces of art in Japanese history, Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The scene depicts a huge wave rising above a trio of fishermen’s boats, with Mount Fuji looming in the background.

The original woodblock print, created in 1831, has been described as ‘possibly the most reproduced image in the history of all art’, but this is the first time it’s been officially recreated in LEGO bricks. (Some fans have already had a crack at it, like this Ideas user, whose project is now unfortunately doomed to fail, and LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya.) The piece has since influenced artists from Vincent van Gogh to Claude Monet, and hangs in museums around the world.

31208 Hokusai – The Great Wave reimagines the historic artwork through the medium of 1,810 LEGO bricks, mixing together 1x1 tiles and layered plates to mirror the depth and perspective of the original piece. Look closely, and you’ll be able to spot unusual – but innovative – parts used to recreate the texture of the soaring wave, including white leaf and bird elements.

“We’re thrilled that fans of art and Japanese culture will get the chance to immerse themselves into the relaxing project of recreating the iconic Great Wave, captured in a LEGO Art set,” said LEGO designer Annemette Baaskjær Nielsen. “This set offers so many ways that fans can unwind and find their flow.

“[That’s] not just immersing themselves into the building process, but also getting into the artwork and how that is composed, sparking an interest in Hokusai’s instantly recognisable original and its rich history of almost 200 years.”

31208 Hokusai – The Great Wave includes 1,810 pieces and will retail for £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99. You’ll be able to buy it from LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores from January 1, 2023. Click here for a complete list of LEGO sets confirmed for 2023.