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Redd is a shyster. If you've spent more than five minutes on his rickety boat in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you already know the deal. He shows up, dims the lights, and tries to sell you "fine art" that looks suspiciously like it was painted in a basement five minutes ago. But here’s the thing about the proper painting animal crossing fans obsess over: it is one of the few items in the game that is 100% foolproof.
You can’t get scammed by it. It’s always real.
Most people panic when they see Redd’s inventory because they’re used to squinting at the Jolly Painting to see if the sprout is coming out of the guy’s chest or checking if the Scary Painting has eyebrows that are arched too high. With the proper painting, you can breathe. If you see that moody, dark bar scene with the tired-looking waitress, buy it. Seriously. Just grab it and run back to Blathers.
Why the Proper Painting is Actually Unique
The proper painting animal crossing players hunt for is based on A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Édouard Manet. Completed in 1882, it’s a masterpiece of Impressionism, or maybe Realism depending on which art historian you’re arguing with at 2:00 AM. In the game, it captures that exact same heavy, crowded atmosphere of a Parisian cabaret.
Why does Nintendo make some art always authentic? It’s a bit of a mystery, honestly. Maybe they figured we needed a break. Out of the dozens of pieces Redd peddles, there's a specific subset—like the Flowery Painting or the Sinking Painting—that never has a fake version. The proper painting sits comfortably in that "safe" category. You don't need a magnifying glass. You don't need to cross-reference a wiki. You just need the 4,980 Bells.
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Manet’s original work is famous for its weird perspective. If you look closely at the mirror behind the barmaid, the reflection doesn't quite line up with where she's standing. It’s intentionally disorienting. In Animal Crossing, this detail is preserved perfectly. If it looked "correct" and symmetrical, it would actually be less accurate to the real-life inspiration.
How to Get It (And What to Do If Redd is Being Stingy)
Redd’s visits are notoriously inconsistent. Even with the 2.0 update that let us open shops on Harv’s Island, he might rotate through the same three fake statues for a week straight. It’s frustrating. You’re trying to finish that museum wing, and he’s out here trying to sell you a Motherly Statue with a tongue sticking out.
If you’re hunting for the proper painting, your best bet is the Harv’s Island strategy.
- Check Redd’s shop every single day. If he has two fakes, buy one anyway.
- Why? Because buying a fake forces his inventory to cycle.
- Wait for the mail. The next day, you’ll get your fake in the mail (great for decorating a "shady market" area of your island), and Redd will have a fresh slot filled.
Honestly, the proper painting is one of the best-looking pieces for home decor too. The gold frame is ornate but not gaudy. The colors are muted—lots of blacks, golds, and that specific pale skin tone Manet was known for. It fits perfectly in a study or a library-themed room. Most players just donate it to Blathers immediately, which is fine, but if you happen to find a second one, keep it for your house.
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Blathers and the Museum Grind
Once you hand over the proper painting animal crossing's favorite museum curator will give you his usual spiel. Blathers is a wealth of information, even if he is terrified of a common butterfly. He’ll tell you about the reflection in the mirror and how it’s meant to represent the bustling nightlife of Paris.
It’s worth reading the plaque.
The museum in New Horizons is genuinely one of the most beautiful digital spaces ever created in a cozy game. Seeing the proper painting hanging in the gallery under those soft spotlights is satisfying. It fills a specific spot in the Western Art section. If you’re a completionist, getting this one out of the way is a relief because you never have to worry about whether you accidentally bought a "haunted" version that blinks at night.
Dealing with the "Always Real" Art List
Since we know the proper painting is always genuine, it helps to know which other pieces share this trait. It saves a lot of time. You won't have to pull up a guide every time you enter the smoky treasure boat.
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The Calm Painting, the Common Painting, and the Nice Painting are also always real. So is the Worthy Painting. If you see any of these, they are high-priority buys. Redd only lets you buy one piece per day on your own island (unless you have multiple accounts), so if he has two "always real" pieces, you'll have to choose or invite a friend over to snag the other one.
The community often trades these on sites like Nookazon or through Reddit forums. Because the proper painting is guaranteed authentic, it holds its value well in the player-to-player economy. You aren't going to get a "dud" that you can't trade away later.
Actionable Steps for Art Collectors
Don't let Redd get the better of you. If you're serious about finishing your collection, follow this workflow:
- Prioritize the Always-Real Art: If the proper painting appears alongside a Valiant Statue, and you aren't 100% sure the statue is real, take the painting. It’s a guaranteed win for your collection.
- Clear the Inventory: On Harv’s Island, buy the fakes just to get them out of the way. It’s a small price to pay for a faster rotation.
- Use the Camera Tool: If you’re on the boat and unsure, use the handheld camera mode to zoom in. For the proper painting, you’re looking for the barmaid, the bottles of Bass Pale Ale on the counter (look for the little red triangles!), and the reflection. Since there is no fake, if it looks like the Manet, it is the Manet.
- Check Your Mail: Remember that Redd limits your purchases. If you find the proper painting while visiting a friend's island, you can still buy it, and it will show up in your mailbox the next morning.
Finish that art wing. Blathers is waiting, and the proper painting is one of the easiest "get out of jail free" cards the game gives you. Just pay the Bells and enjoy the masterpiece.