ACNH fake vs real art: How to spot the forgeries every single time

Look, we’ve all been there. You step onto that dimly lit, slightly damp Treasure Trawler, and there he is—Cousin Redd. He’s got that wide, toothy grin and a deal that seems just a little too good to be true. You want that museum wing finished. Blathers is literally losing sleep over it. But if you hand over those hard-earned Bells for a fake, you’re stuck with a piece of junk that the Nooklings won’t even touch.

It’s annoying.

The struggle of acnh fake vs real art is basically a rite of passage in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While some forgeries are glaringly obvious (like a certain stone being neon blue), others are subtle enough to make you squint at your Switch screen until your eyes hurt. You’ve got to be a bit of a detective. Or, you know, just use this guide so you don't get scammed.

Why Redd is actually scamming you

Redd isn't just selling "artistic interpretations." He's selling flat-out lies. In the world of New Horizons, forgeries serve zero purpose for your museum collection. Blathers will give you that look of pure, refined disappointment if you try to donate a fake.

Interestingly, some of these fakes are actually "haunted." If you're into the spooky side of island life, a fake might actually be what you want. Some paintings blink. Some statues float. It’s weird, but hey, it’s your island.

But if you’re here for the 100% completion badge, you need the real deal.

How to spot the fakes: Paintings

Most paintings have one specific "tell." It’s usually a missing detail or a weird addition that wasn't in the original masterpiece.

The Academic Painting
This one is based on Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. Look at the top right corner. If there’s a circular coffee or tea stain, it’s a fake. The real one is clean. Apparently, the forger was pulling an all-nighter and got careless with his mug.

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Amazing Painting
In the real Night Watch, the guy in the center with the red sash is wearing a black hat. If he’s hatless? Fake. It changes the whole vibe of the painting, honestly.

Famous Painting
The Mona Lisa. Everyone knows her. In the fake version, her eyebrows are arched high, making her look surprisingly surprised or maybe just a bit judgmental. The real one has almost no visible eyebrows at all.

Graceful Painting
This is a tricky one because it can be haunted. The real version shows the woman taking up about 2/3 of the height of the canvas, with a fair amount of space at the top. The fake version is much larger, filling almost the entire frame. Also, watch out: the haunted version might turn its head to look at you. Creepy.

Wistful Painting
Based on Girl with a Pearl Earring. The clue is in the name. In the real one, she’s wearing a round pearl. In the fake, the earring is shaped like a star. If you check it at night, the "haunted" fake version will actually close its eyes.

Paintings that are always real

Sometimes Redd is actually honest. Kinda. There are a handful of paintings that have no fake versions at all. If you see these, buy them immediately:

• Calm Painting
• Common Painting
• Dynamic Painting
• Flowery Painting
• Glowing Painting
• Moody Painting
• Mysterious Painting
• Nice Painting
• Perfect Painting
• Proper Painting
• Sinking Painting
• Twinkling Painting
• Warm Painting
• Worthy Painting

The Statues: Dead giveaways

Statues are often harder to judge because they are 3D, and the lighting on Redd's boat is terrible. Use your camera zoom. It helps.

Ancient Statue
This is a Jomon-period Dogu. The real one is simple. The fake has a pair of "antennae" or ears sticking out of its head. This is another haunted one—at night, the eyes glow blue and it might even levitate if you interact with it.

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Beautiful Statue
The Venus de Milo. The fake is wearing a thick, chunky necklace. The real one is, well, authentic to the original Greek sculpture (meaning no jewelry).

Gallant Statue
Michelangelo’s David. Check his right arm. If he’s clutching a book under his arm like he’s headed to a lecture, it’s a fake. The real David isn't carrying anything.

Informative Statue
The Rosetta Stone. This is the easiest one to spot in the whole game. The real one is gray stone. The fake is a bright, glowing neon blue. It literally looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.

Motherly Statue
The Capitoline Wolf. Look at the wolf’s mouth. If her tongue is hanging out like a tired dog, it’s a fake. The real one has a closed (or at least non-tongue-wagging) mouth.

Robust Statue
The Discobolus. Check the right wrist. The fake is wearing a modern wristwatch. It’s hilarious, honestly, but it won't get into the museum.

Warrior Statue
A Terracotta Army soldier. If he’s leaning on a shovel, he’s a fake. The real one is just standing there with his hands down.

Pro tips for finishing your gallery

Don't just wait for Redd to show up at your secret beach once every two weeks. That takes forever. If you’ve unlocked Harv’s Island and the shops there, Redd has a permanent stall.

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Here’s the trick: Redd’s stock at Harv’s only changes every Monday. But, if you buy a piece of art (even a fake one), he will replace that slot the very next day. If you have the Bells to spare, buy the fakes just to cycle his inventory faster. It’s the most efficient way to find those last few elusive statues like the Great Statue or the Valiant Statue.

Also, talk to your villagers. Sometimes they’ll mail you art. They aren't experts, though. They’ll often send you a "genuine" painting they "found," only for it to be a total knockoff. Smug villagers are notorious for this.

Moving forward with your collection

Check your museum often. It's easy to forget what you already have. Before you head to Redd's, take a quick screenshot of your "Art" tab in the Nook Shopping app or check your Critterpedia/Museum app if you’re using a tracker.

Next time you're on the boat, don't rush. Use the "take a closer look" option and pan the camera around. Most fakes are designed to be caught if you just look for five seconds longer than usual. Once you’ve verified the detail—whether it’s the shape of an earring or the presence of a wristwatch—you can make your purchase with confidence.

If you do end up with a fake, don't just toss it in a trash can. Some players love the haunted versions for "forest core" or "horror" themed islands. A floating, glowing Ancient Statue looks pretty cool in a graveyard at 2:00 AM.

Go ahead and double-check your current inventory against the "always real" list provided above. It's the fastest way to see if you can snag an easy win during Redd's next visit.