You’ve finally seen him. Redd’s rickety boat is docked at the secret beach, the low-light lanterns are flickering, and there she is—the Animal Crossing Mona Lisa. Or, as Blathers officially calls it in the museum, the Famous Painting. You want it. Your museum looks empty without Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece. But here is the thing: Jolly Redd is a cousin you probably shouldn't trust with your wallet.
Buying art in New Horizons isn't just about having good taste; it’s about having an eagle eye because if you buy the wrong version, you're stuck with a forgery that even Tommy and Timmy won't touch.
The Famous Painting: What Most Players Get Wrong
Most people think the Animal Crossing Mona Lisa is just a simple "yes or no" choice. It isn't. In previous games like New Leaf, the fake was incredibly obvious because she was literally pointing her finger. In New Horizons, Nintendo got a bit more subtle.
The real trick is in the eyebrows.
Leonardo da Vinci’s actual 16th-century portrait is famous for many things, but one of the most debated aspects in the art world is her lack of prominent eyebrows. If you look at the version Redd is selling and her eyebrows are arched high like she just got a bad Botox injection, walk away. It's a fake. The genuine article has that smooth, slightly mysterious forehead we all recognize from the Louvre.
Why does this matter? Because 4,980 Bells isn't a huge amount of money in the late game, but early on, it's a bridge payment or a new pair of kicks. Plus, Blathers will literally recoil in horror if you try to hand him a counterfeit. He’s a scholar, after all. He doesn't have time for knock-offs.
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Spotting the Fake Animal Crossing Mona Lisa
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the visual cues. When you enter Redd’s Treasure Trawler, you have the option to "take a closer look." Use it. Always.
The Animal Crossing Mona Lisa forgery has eyebrows that are tilted upward at the inner corners. It makes her look startled. Or maybe a little concerned about your island’s star rating. The real painting has a flat, almost non-existent brow line.
- The Real Deal: No eyebrows. The eyes are level. The smirk is subtle.
- The Counterfeit: Visible, thin, arched eyebrows.
Interestingly, there’s a rumor that the fake version of the Famous Painting is "haunted." In Animal Crossing, some fake art pieces actually change over time. For example, the Scary Painting (the guy with the floating eyebrows) will occasionally smile or change expressions at night. The Wistful Painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring) sometimes closes its eyes. While the Mona Lisa doesn't have a confirmed "haunted" animation like the Ancient Statue or the Wistful Painting, many players keep the fakes anyway just for the aesthetic of a "haunted" gallery in their basement.
The Real-World History Behind the Famous Painting
In the game, the description for the Famous Painting mentions it was painted around 1503. This is historically accurate. Da Vinci took years to work on it, and it’s widely believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini.
When you donate the real Animal Crossing Mona Lisa to the museum, Blathers mentions its "mysterious smile." This isn't just flavor text. Art historians have spent centuries analyzing whether she's happy, sad, or just bored. By including this in the game, Nintendo is bridging the gap between a cozy life simulator and actual art appreciation.
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There's a specific nuance here regarding the "sfumato" technique. Leonardo used this to blur the edges of the painting, creating a smoky effect. In the high-definition textures of New Horizons, you can actually see a simplified version of this technique. The fake version often looks "sharper" or more digitally crisp in the brow area, which is a dead giveaway that it wasn't painted by a Renaissance master. It was likely painted by a fox in a boat.
Why Redd Sells Fakes in the First Place
Redd is a "Kitsune." In Japanese folklore, foxes are tricksters. They are shape-shifters who love to mess with humans. This is why Redd calls you "cousin." It’s a classic sales tactic to build unearned trust.
The Animal Crossing Mona Lisa is one of his most common items because he knows it's the one you want the most. It’s iconic. It’s the "trophy" of any museum collection. He preys on that desire.
If you’re trying to complete your collection quickly, you might be tempted to use "Art Islands" or Nookazon to trade for the Famous Painting. Be careful. Always ask for a screenshot of the painting in the person's inventory or placed on their island. If those eyebrows are visible, don't drop your Nook Miles Tickets.
The Haunted Rumors and Hidden Details
Is the Animal Crossing Mona Lisa actually cursed? Probably not in the way the Ancient Statue (which floats) is, but the game's community loves a good mystery.
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Some players have reported that the eyes of the Famous Painting follow you around the room. This is actually a real-life optical illusion called the "Mona Lisa Effect." However, in the game, this effect is present on both the real and the fake versions due to how the textures are mapped onto the 3D model.
If you end up with a fake, don't panic. You can't sell it to the Nooklings, but you can:
- Display it in your home: It still looks classy from a distance.
- Trash it: Use a garbage can furniture item to delete it from existence.
- Gift it: Some villagers might take it, but they'll eventually realize it's a fake and might get a bit salty about it.
- Island Decoration: Fakes are great for making a "forgery market" area on your island to give it some character.
How to Guarantee a Real Purchase
If you’re tired of being scammed by a fox, there are ways to tilt the odds in your favor. First, unlock the permanent shops on Harv’s Island. By funding Redd’s stall there, you get two new pieces of art to look at every single day. This refreshes much faster than his random boat visits to your secret beach.
Check the Animal Crossing Mona Lisa every Monday when the stock refreshes. If you buy a fake on Harv's island, a new piece replaces it the next day. This is an expensive way to cycle through inventory, but it’s the fastest way to get that legitimate gold plaque in your museum.
Keep in mind that some art pieces in the game are always real. The Great Statue or the Flowery Painting, for example, don't have forgeries. The Mona Lisa is not one of them. She is one of the "high-risk" items that Redd loves to spoof.
Practical Steps for Art Collectors
Don't let the fox win. If you're looking at the Animal Crossing Mona Lisa right now on that dimly lit boat, follow this checklist before you hand over your Bells:
- Zoom in. Use the X button to get the camera right up in her face.
- Check the brow. No eyebrows means it's a masterpiece. High arches mean it's trash.
- Look at the hands. The hands should be crossed, with the right hand resting on the left wrist. This is rarely the part that's faked, but it's good to know.
- Check your museum. Walk through your art gallery first. There is nothing worse than buying a real painting only to realize you already donated it six months ago. Redd doesn't offer refunds.
- Consult the light. The lighting in Redd's boat is notoriously bad. It’s designed to hide the flaws in his forgeries. If you’re unsure, turn the brightness up on your Switch or handheld device.
Once you’ve secured the real version, take it straight to Blathers. He’ll give you a bit of a lecture, but the satisfaction of seeing that empty spot in the gallery finally filled is worth the effort. The Famous Painting is a cornerstone of the collection, and honestly, your island just feels a little more "five-star" once it's hanging on the wall.