You're standing on the deck of a shady boat. It’s dark. Redd is grinning at you, and all you want is to fill that empty wing in Blathers’ museum without looking like a total amateur. We’ve all been there. You see the detailed painting animal crossing fans obsess over—that vibrant, floral scene that looks like something straight out of a classic botanical textbook—and you hesitate. Is it real? Is it a counterfeit? Redd is basically the king of the "too good to be true" deal, and when it comes to the Detailed Painting, the stakes feel surprisingly high because the fake is actually quite pretty in its own weird way.
Honestly, the Detailed Painting is one of those pieces that defines the Animal Crossing: New Horizons art hustle. It isn't just a random asset; it’s a digital recreation of Ito Jakuchu’s Ajisai Shokado-zu (Hydrangeas and Chicken). It’s a masterpiece of the Edo period. But in the world of Animal Crossing, it’s also a potential waste of 4,980 Bells if you aren't paying attention to the colors.
How to Spot a Fake Detailed Painting Animal Crossing Style
Look, identifying art in this game shouldn't require an art history degree, but with this specific piece, you kinda need a sharp eye. The detailed painting animal crossing version is notorious because the "tell" is purely color-based. There are no missing people, no changed poses, and no haunted eyes that blink at 2 AM. It’s all about the flowers.
In the genuine version, the large hydrangeas on the left side of the canvas are blue. That’s the key. If you’re looking at the painting and those petals are a distinct, bright purple, you are looking at a fake. It’s a subtle shift. Sometimes the lighting on Redd’s Treasure Trawler makes it hard to distinguish between a cool purple and a warm blue, which is exactly why people get burned.
The Real Deal: Ito Jakuchu’s Legacy
The original work, Rooster and Hen with Hydrangeas, is part of a larger series called the Colorful Realm of Living Beings. If you ever see the real thing in a gallery or a high-res scan, you’ll notice the incredible precision Jakuchu used. He was famous for a style called kachi-ga (flower-and-bird paintings). In the game, the developers at Nintendo did a decent job capturing that "meticulous" vibe, hence the name "Detailed Painting."
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Blathers will be the first to tell you that Jakuchu’s work was revolutionary for its time. He used a technique where he painted on both sides of the silk to create depth. You won't see that on your Switch screen, obviously, but knowing the history makes that pixelated rooster feel a bit more prestigious when it’s finally hanging in your museum.
Why Does Redd Keep Selling Fakes?
Redd is a "Cousin" we all love to hate. His inventory is randomized, and the odds are often stacked against you. For the detailed painting animal crossing version, the fake appears just as frequently as the real one.
Sometimes, buying the fake isn't even a mistake. Some players actually prefer the purple hydrangeas. If you're going for a specific aesthetic in your home—maybe a "cottagecore" vibe with lots of lavender and violet—the fake Detailed Painting actually works better as a decorative item than the real one. Just remember that Blathers won't take it. He’ll give you that look of utter disappointment, and you’ll be stuck with a piece of "art" that you can't even sell to Tommy and Timmy. They won't touch forged goods. You'd have to toss it in a trash can or use it for your own walls.
The Rarity Factor
Is it rare? Not exactly. It isn't as elusive as the Great Statue or the Wild Painting Right Side, but it shows up infrequently enough that you'll feel the pressure to buy it when you see it.
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I’ve spent hours time-traveling just to find this one piece. It’s frustrating. You load in, check the boat, see the purple flowers, and realize you have to reset the day all over again.
Pro Tips for Art Collectors
If you’re tired of being scammed by a fox in a tugboat, there are ways to mitigate the risk. First, always zoom in. The camera tool in New Horizons is your best friend.
- Open your camera app.
- Walk right up to the painting.
- Check the color of the flowers against a trusted reference image on your phone.
Another thing to remember: the detailed painting animal crossing collectors hunt for is always the same size. It’s a vertical scroll-style piece. If you’re trying to complete your Nook Miles goals for "True Treasure," this is one of the easier ones to verify as long as you aren't colorblind. If you are colorblind, you might want to invite a friend over to your island to double-check the hue before you pull the trigger on those Bells.
Impact on Island Rating
Art doesn't just look good. It actually contributes to your island's cultural value. While the game's internal logic for a 5-star rating mostly focuses on furniture, trees, and flowers, having a completed museum is a huge point of pride for most players.
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The Detailed Painting adds a layer of sophistication that the more "cartoonish" items just don't provide. It’s refined. It’s sharp. It’s a rooster, sure, but it’s a classy rooster.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit to Redd
Don't let the dim lighting fool you. Next time the Trawler docks at your secret beach, follow this checklist to ensure you’re getting the real detailed painting animal crossing masterpiece:
- Ignore the Rooster: The bird looks the same in both versions. Don't waste time looking for a different beak or tail feather.
- Focus on the Hydrangeas: Blue is true. Purple is a prank. It’s that simple.
- Check your Museum: Before buying, run up to the gallery. It sounds stupid, but I’ve accidentally bought duplicates of the Detailed Painting because I forgot I already donated it months ago.
- Consult the App: If you have the Nintendo Switch Online app, you can sometimes use the "Catalog" feature to see what you've previously held, though art is notoriously tricky in the catalog since you can't re-order it.
Once you’ve secured the genuine article, take it straight to Blathers. Watching him freak out over a 18th-century Japanese masterpiece is one of the small joys of the game. Plus, you get that sweet, sweet "Donated" stamp. If you end up with the fake by accident? Put it in a fancy gold frame and hang it in your bathroom. It still looks great, and honestly, nobody but Blathers is going to call you out on the color of your hydrangeas.
Go check your secret beach. If Redd is there, you know what to do. Look for the blue flowers, keep your Bells safe, and finally finish that art wing once and for all.