You’re standing on a dimly lit, slightly shady boat. The atmosphere is thick with the smell of old wood and incense, and there’s a fox named Redd trying to convince you that a clearly off-balance statue is a priceless heirloom. We’ve all been there. Collecting art in New Horizons isn't just about decorating your home or filling out Blathers’ museum wings; it’s a high-stakes game of "spot the difference" that can leave you with a basement full of worthless haunted canvases if you aren't careful.
Honestly, the Animal Crossing paintings guide in your head usually fails the moment you see the "Scary Painting" and can't remember if the eyebrows are supposed to point up or down. It’s frustrating. You spend your hard-earned Bells, wait for the mail the next day, and then Blathers gives you that look—the one where he politely informs you that you’ve been swindled.
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Let’s fix that.
The Art of the Deal (and the Steal)
Redd is a master of the "cousin" discount. But here’s the thing: his inventory is randomized. You might get lucky and find four genuine masterpieces, or you might find yourself staring at a gallery of complete fabrications. Understanding the nuances of these pieces requires a keen eye for art history, or at least a very good memory for where a specific smudge is located.
The game uses real-world masterpieces. We’re talking Da Vinci, Vermeer, and Velázquez. Nintendo’s developers didn't just make up these flaws; they based the fakes on subtle alterations to the original works. Some are obvious. Some are devious.
Why Blathers Won't Take Your Junk
Blathers has standards. High ones. If a painting is a forgery, it won't have the official owl-stamped certificate of authenticity on the back. While you can still hang fakes in your house—and some of them are actually quite cool because they’re haunted—they have zero value at Nook’s Cranny. Timmy and Tommy won't even buy them for a single Bell. You’re stuck with them unless you use a trash can or gift them to a villager who doesn't know any better.
Spotting the Fakes: A Breakdown of the Tricky Ones
Most players struggle with the same five or six pieces. These are the ones where the developers got really creative with the forgeries.
Take the Academic Painting, which is actually Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. In the real version, there is no coffee stain in the top right corner. If you see a brown circle that looks like someone rested a mug on the parchment, it’s a fake. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a museum centerpiece and a piece of trash.
Then there’s the Amazing Painting (The Night Watch by Rembrandt). This one is a nightmare. In the fake version, the man in the center—the one in the black suit with the red sash—is missing his hat. Or rather, the guy next to him is. Honestly, just look at the hats. If the dude in the middle is hatless, keep your Bells in your pocket.
The Haunted Art Phenomenon
Some fakes are actually "haunted." This is a weird, undocumented feature that makes certain forgeries almost more desirable than the originals. The Wistful Painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring) is a prime example. In the fake version, her eyes close at night. It’s creepy. If you’re into the paranormal aesthetic for your island, you might actually want to seek out the forgeries. The Ancient Statue also floats if you interact with it at night.
Moving Beyond the Basics
You’ve probably noticed that some paintings are "Always Genuine." These are your best friends. If Redd is selling the Calm Painting, Common Painting, Flowery Painting, Glowing Painting, Moody Painting, Nice Painting, Proper Painting, Sinking Painting, Twinkling Painting, Warm Painting, or Worthy Painting, buy it immediately. There is no fake version of these. They are the safe bets in a sea of deception.
The Wild Painting Right Half and Wild Painting Left Half are the bosses of this game. They are based on the Wind and Thunder Gods folding screens. In the fake versions, the colors of the gods are swapped. The god on the "Right Half" should be white. If he’s green, it’s a fake. On the "Left Half," the god should be green. If he’s white, Redd is playing you.
Dealing with Redd’s Schedule
Redd is a bit of a nomad. Initially, he shows up on your secret beach (the one at the very back of your island) at random. However, once you unlock the plaza on Harv’s Island, you can pay 100,000 Bells to give him a permanent stall. This is a game-changer for finishing your collection.
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Even with a permanent stall, his inventory only refreshes once a week unless you buy something. Here’s a pro tip: buy a fake. If you buy a fake painting on Monday, he’ll replace it with a new item on Tuesday. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s the fastest way to cycle through his stock to find that one elusive Great Statue or Valiant Statue you’re missing.
The Psychology of the Scammer
Redd calls you "cousin" for a reason. He wants to establish a sense of false familiarity. It’s a classic sales tactic. He’ll tell you he’s giving you a special price, but the price is always the same: 4,980 Bells. Don’t let the flattery get to you. Every time you enter that boat, assume he’s lying until you’ve checked every brushstroke against a known reference.
The Hidden Details in Statues
Statues are often harder to verify than paintings because you have to rotate the camera. The Gallant Statue (Michelangelo’s David) is a classic trap. In the fake version, he’s holding a book under his arm. The real David doesn't have a book. Why would he? He’s busy with a slingshot.
The Tremendous Statue is another one that trips people up. It’s a large bronze ding. In the fake version, it has a lid. The real Houmuwu Ding is open at the top. It’s a massive piece of bronze, and adding a lid makes it look slightly more "complete," which is exactly how they trick you.
High-Value Targets for Collectors
If you're looking to trade with other players, some pieces are worth way more than others. The Great Statue (King Kamehameha I) is always genuine and highly sought after for outdoor decoration. Because it's 2x2 in size, it makes a massive statement in a town square.
The Valiant Statue (Nike of Samothrace) is also a heavy hitter. The fake version has the left leg forward, while the real one has the right leg forward. Players love the "fake" version of this one too, simply because it’s a beautiful statue regardless of its authenticity.
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Why the Guide Matters Now
In the 2.0 update, the frequency of Redd’s visits and the availability of art increased, but so did the confusion. With more people trying to complete their museums in 2026, the market for genuine art in the community remains high. If you can accurately identify a Moving Painting (The Birth of Venus)—where the fake is missing the trees in the background—you have a valuable bargaining chip for trading items or DIY recipes with others.
Final Tactics for Art Hunting
When you’re looking at a painting on Redd's ship, use the zoom function. Don't just glance. Look at the eyes. Look at the hands. In the Serene Painting (Lady with an Ermine), the fake ermine has raccoon-like markings around its eyes. It’s a tiny detail that’s easy to miss if you’re rushing.
Practical Next Steps for Your Island
- Visit Harv’s Island: If you haven’t funded Redd’s stall yet, make that your top priority. The 100,000 Bell investment pays for itself in the time you save waiting for him to dock at your secret beach.
- Cycle the Inventory: Buy one item every day if you have the Bells to spare. Even if it's a fake, it forces Redd to bring out something new the following morning.
- Use the Camera: Always use the "Look Closer" option. Rotate statues 360 degrees. Check for things that shouldn't be there, like watches on characters in 17th-century paintings.
- Check the Backs: Once you receive the item in the mail, check your inventory. If it’s genuine, there will be a small slip of paper attached to the back of the frame.
- Don't Donate Immediately: If you’re unsure, try to set the painting down as furniture first. Look at it in good lighting. If it's a "haunted" fake, you might want to keep it for a themed room rather than trying to give it to Blathers and facing the embarrassment of rejection.
Art collecting in Animal Crossing is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll get scammed. It’s part of the experience. But with a bit of scrutiny and a healthy distrust of "Cousin" Redd, you’ll have a museum that would make the Louvre jealous. Keep your eyes on the details, specifically the eyebrows and the accessories, and you’ll do just fine.
Actionable Insight: Start by checking the "Always Genuine" list first whenever Redd appears. If he has one of those, it’s an automatic buy. If not, focus your attention on the Academic, Serene, and Wistful paintings, as their flaws are the most consistently recognizable once you know what to look for.