You’re standing on a dimly lit boat. The atmosphere is sketchy. Jolly Redd is grinning at you, trying to sell a masterpiece for about 5,000 Bells. It looks right. Mostly. But then you notice something off about the eyebrows, or maybe the way the subject is holding their hand. Welcome to the frustrating world of animal crossing new horizons fake art.
Redd is a cousin you can’t trust. He’s the fox who turns your museum dreams into a collection of worthless plaster. Blathers won't even look at the fakes. He just shudders in that way only a curated owl can. Getting scammed sucks, especially when you’ve waited weeks for the Treasure Trawler to finally dock at your secret beach.
Why Animal Crossing New Horizons Fake Art Exists
The game isn't just about picking weeds. It’s about observation. Nintendo built these forgeries to reward players who actually pay attention to the details of real-world history. Some fakes are obvious. Others are subtle. Honestly, some of the fakes are actually cooler than the originals because they’re haunted.
Think about the Ancient Statue. The real one is a Jomon period "dogu" figurine. The fake one? It has antennae. At night, it actually floats. That’s the kind of weirdness that makes animal crossing new horizons fake art more than just a nuisance; it’s a subculture. You’ve got players who intentionally fill their homes with the haunted stuff because it adds a spooky vibe that the pristine Museum lacks.
The Most Infamous Forgeries and How to Catch Them
Let’s get into the weeds. If you’re looking at the Academic Painting, which is Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, look at the top right corner. Is there a coffee stain? If there’s a ring from a mug, it’s a fake. Redd literally set his drink down on a "masterpiece." Real art doesn't have caffeine stains.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Every Bubbul Gem: Why the Map of Caves TOTK Actually Matters
The Amazing Painting (The Night Watch) is a total trap. In the real version, the guy in the center—the one in the big black hat—is wearing a red sash. In the fake, the sash is missing. It’s a tiny detail, but it’s the difference between a donation and a waste of inventory space.
Then there’s the Basic Painting. It’s The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough. In the fake version, the kid has a massive forehead. Well, specifically, his bangs cover way less of his face. It’s one of those things where once you see it, you can’t unsee it. You’ll find yourself squinting at the screen, wondering if the hair looks "too high." If you have to ask, it’s probably a fake.
The Haunted Variations
Some fakes change. They’re possessed. The Scary Painting (Otani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei) is a classic. In the real one, the eyebrows are slanted down in a mean scowl. In the fake, they slant up, making him look sad or worried. But wait. If you check it at night, the expression might shift.
The Wistful Painting—Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring—is another creepy one. The fake has star-shaped earrings instead of pearls. But at night? Her eyes close. It’s unsettling. Most people want the real deal for Blathers, but the "haunted" community is real. They trade these specific fakes for high prices on Nookazon because they want their basements to feel like a horror movie.
🔗 Read more: Playing A Link to the Past Switch: Why It Still Hits Different Today
How Redd’s Inventory Actually Works
Redd shows up with four pieces of art. Usually, at least one is real. Sometimes, they’re all fake. On very rare occasions, he might have two or three real pieces. It feels unfair. It kind of is.
You can only buy one piece per visit. This is where the strategy comes in. If you have multiple residents on your island, each person can buy a piece. It’s a loophole. You can basically clear out his stock if you have enough "roommates" to help you haul the loot.
Statues: The High Stakes Game
Statues are harder. They take up more space and they feel more "expensive" even though the price is the same. The Gallant Statue (Michelangelo’s David) is a common point of failure. The fake one is holding a book under his arm. The real David isn't carrying a library. He’s just standing there.
Then you have the Valiant Statue. It’s the Nike of Samothrace. The real one has the right leg forward. The fake has the left leg forward. It’s a mirror image scam. It’s one of the most beautiful pieces in the game, and getting a fake feels like a punch in the gut because it looks so similar to the untrained eye.
💡 You might also like: Plants vs Zombies Xbox One: Why Garden Warfare Still Slaps Years Later
The Wild Painting Left Half and Wild Painting Right Half are the ultimate tests. These are the screens by Tawaraya Sotatsu. They are notoriously difficult because the color of the creatures changes. On the Left Half, the god should be white. If he’s green, he’s a fake. On the Right Half, he should be green. If he’s white, you’re looking at a forgery.
Practical Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just walk into the boat and click buy. You're smarter than that.
- Zoom in. Use the camera tool or the in-game "look closer" prompt. Don't rush.
- Compare to the real world. Have a guide or a photo of the real-world artwork open on your phone. Nintendo was very literal with these. If the real painting in the Louvre doesn't have a mustache, and Redd's version does, walk away.
- Check the back. While you can't see the back of the canvas in the shop, once you buy it, real art has a certificate of authenticity on the back. Fakes do not.
- Talk to your villagers. Sometimes they’ll mail you art. Beware: Smug villagers are notorious for sending fakes. They mean well, but their taste is questionable.
- The Nook’s Cranny Test. If you’re still unsure and you’ve already bought it, try to sell it to Timmy and Tommy. They won’t buy fakes. They’ll tell you it’s a "forgery" and won't give you a single Bell for it. That’s your confirmation.
If you end up with a fake, don't just throw it in the trash. Use it for decoration. Some of the statues look incredible in a garden, even if they aren't "authentic." Or, if you’re feeling mean, wrap it up and give it to a villager you’re trying to kick off your island. It won’t actually make them leave, but it’s a satisfying way to vent your frustration over being outsmarted by a fox in a tugboat.
The best way to handle animal crossing new horizons fake art is to treat the Museum like a long-term project. It’s not a sprint. You’ll get scammed. You’ll buy a fake "Moving Painting" because you didn't notice the trees were missing. It happens. Just keep your Bells ready for the next time the smoke rises from the northern shore.