You’ve been there. Redd is back. His boat is docked at that sketchy little "secret" beach at the back of your island, and the lighting is purposefully terrible. You're staring at a piece of canvas, squinting at the screen of your Switch, trying to remember if a specific 17th-century Dutch lady was supposed to be wearing a pearl earring or a giant star-shaped one. If you get it right, you walk away with an amazing painting animal crossing fans have coveted since New Horizons launched. If you get it wrong? You’re out nearly 5,000 Bells and Blathers is going to give you that look of utter disappointment. It’s a rite of passage, honestly.
The "Amazing Painting" isn’t just some random texture. It’s a direct digital recreation of The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn. Completed in 1642, it is one of the most famous paintings in the world, and in the world of Animal Crossing, it’s one of the few "large" pieces that can truly anchor a room’s aesthetic. But the stakes are higher than just interior design. Because Redd is a con artist, the version he’s peddling might be a total sham.
How to Tell if Redd is Scamming You
Let’s get straight to the point because nobody wants a fake hanging in their museum. In the real world, The Night Watch is massive, but in the game, you’re looking for one specific detail in the center of the frame.
Look at the guy in the middle. The one in the black suit with the red sash—Captain Frans Banninck Cocq. Now, look at his hat. In the genuine amazing painting animal crossing players need for their collection, the Captain is wearing a black hat. Just a plain, dark, period-appropriate hat. If you see a version where the Captain is missing his hat entirely? That’s the fake. It sounds simple, but when you're standing in that dimly lit boat, it’s remarkably easy to overlook.
The fake is actually pretty funny once you realize it. It’s like the Captain just decided to go casual for the militia portrait. But Blathers won't take it. He has standards. Real-world art historians at the Rijksmuseum would probably have a heart attack if they saw the hatless version, considering the Captain's status in the 17th-century Amsterdam civil guard.
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Rembrandt was a master of light, and the game does a decent job of mimicking that chiaroscuro effect. The way the light hits the girl in the yellow dress in the background is iconic. If you buy the real one, you’re not just filling a slot in the museum; you’re putting a masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age on your wall.
Why This Specific Painting Matters So Much
Why do we care about a digital Rembrandt?
For one, it’s huge. Most art in the game is relatively small, but the Amazing Painting takes up a significant chunk of wall space. It’s perfect for a "study" or a "library" vibe. I’ve seen players pair it with the "Classic Library Wall" and some "Antique" furniture to make their house look like a European manor. It works. It’s got that "old money" energy that makes your island feel a little less like a deserted wasteland and more like a curated estate.
But there's more to it. Animal Crossing has always had this weirdly educational undertone. By forcing us to hunt for these pieces, Nintendo actually teaches us art history. You start recognizing the difference between a Manet and a Monet. You learn that The Night Watch isn't actually set at night—it’s just that the varnish darkened over time, making it look much grimmer than Rembrandt intended. In the game, the colors are relatively vibrant, reflecting the more modern, cleaned state of the actual painting.
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The Struggle of the Art Gallery
Completing the art wing of the museum is a grind. It’s arguably the hardest part of the game because Redd’s visits are randomized. You might go weeks without seeing him. When he does show up, there’s no guarantee he’ll even have a real painting, let alone the specific amazing painting animal crossing collectors are missing.
I’ve talked to players who have been playing since March 2020 and still haven't finished their galleries. It’s brutal. Some people resort to "time traveling"—changing the system clock to force Redd to reappear—but even then, the RNG (random number generation) can be cruel.
Then there’s the Nookazon market. If you’re desperate, you can go online and trade for it. But be prepared to pay a premium. People trade Nook Miles Tickets (NMTs) or millions of Bells for genuine art. It’s a literal black market for digital culture. Honestly, it’s a bit fitting, given that the art world in real life is often just as chaotic and expensive.
A Quick Checklist for the Discerning Collector
If you're standing in front of Redd right now, don't panic. Just follow this logic.
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Is the guy in the middle wearing a hat?
- Yes: Buy it immediately.
- No: Walk away and buy a fake statue instead (at least those look cool in your garden).
The genuine version of the painting doesn't have a "haunted" version, either. Some fakes in the game change at night—eyes open, figures move, or shadows shift. The Night Watch fake doesn't do that. It just lacks the hat. It’s a boring fake, which makes it even more insulting if you accidentally buy it.
Museum Logistics
Once you donate the real deal, Blathers will give you a little blurb about it. He’ll mention the Captain and the Lieutenant (the guy in yellow next to him). He might mention how Rembrandt used light to create a sense of motion. It’s a nice touch. It makes the museum feel like a living place rather than just a checklist of items.
Also, remember that you can only buy one piece of art per day from Redd. If he has two real pieces (it happens!), you’ll need a second player profile on your island or a very trustworthy friend to come over and buy the other one for you. Don't let a genuine masterpiece go to waste just because of a one-per-day limit.
Actionable Steps for Your Island
Don't just wait for luck to strike. Here is how you actually get that painting:
- Visit Harv’s Island: If you haven't already, pay the 100,000 Bells to unlock Redd’s permanent stall on Harv’s Island. This is a game-changer. Instead of waiting for his boat, you can check his inventory every single day.
- Cycle the Inventory: Redd’s stock at Harv’s Island refreshes every Monday. However, if you buy a piece of art (even a fake one), he will replace that spot with a new item the very next day. If you have the spare Bells, buy his junk just to clear the way for the amazing painting animal crossing gods might send you tomorrow.
- Check the Lighting: If you’re playing on a handheld Switch, turn your brightness all the way up. The dark interior of the boat is designed to trick you.
- Use the Camera Tool: Open your NookPhone and use the camera to zoom in on the painting before you buy. You can get a much closer look at the Captain’s head to see if that hat is present.
- Verify with Blathers: If you're unsure after buying it, head straight to the museum. He won't even give you the option to donate if it’s a fake. If he takes it, you're golden.
Finding the Amazing Painting is a highlight of the Animal Crossing experience. It’s a mix of frustration, detective work, and eventually, the satisfaction of seeing a Dutch Master hanging next to a cartoon owl. Just remember: check for the hat. Always check for the hat.