Blathers is a bit of a snob. If you’ve spent any time in New Horizons, you know the feeling of walking into that hollow, echoing museum with a "Genuine" painting only to have that owl look you dead in the eye and tell you it’s a total fraud. It’s embarrassing. It’s expensive. Jolly Redd is a cousin, sure, but he’s the kind of cousin who would sell you a bridge he doesn't own.
Finding a reliable redds artwork guide acnh players can actually trust is basically a rite of passage for anyone trying to finish that massive gallery wing. You're standing there on a dimly lit boat, staring at a pixelated canvas, trying to remember if a 17th-century Dutch woman was supposed to have a star-shaped earring or a pearl one. Most of the time, the differences are tiny. Sometimes they are supernatural.
Let's be real: Redd is a scammer. He shows up on your secret beach, pedals "high-quality" goods at 4,980 Bells a pop, and banks on the fact that you don't know your art history. But the game has specific "tells" for every single forged piece.
The psychology of the Treasure Trawler
Redd doesn't just sell art. He sells an experience. That dim lighting on his boat isn't for ambiance; it’s specifically designed to hide the fact that the Moving Painting has a giant stain on it that shouldn't be there. When you first encounter him, you're usually desperate. Your museum is empty. You want those stamps.
The interesting thing about the redds artwork guide acnh meta is that some fakes are actually "haunted." If you buy the fake Ancient Statue, it might just start floating at night. If you buy the fake Wistful Painting, the lady might close her eyes when you walk away. It’s creepy. It’s also a way for Nintendo to reward players who accidentally get swindled. Even if Blathers won't take it, you’ve got a weird, cursed object for your basement.
But if your goal is the 100% completion badge, you need the real deal. You need to know that the Academic Painting (Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man) is fake if there’s a coffee stain in the top right corner. Why would Da Vinci leave a coffee ring? He wouldn't. Redd just doesn't care about your immersion.
Redds artwork guide ACNH: Spotting the visual lies
You have to look at the details. Seriously. Zoom in. Use the camera tool on your NookPhone if you have to.
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Take the Famous Painting. This is the Mona Lisa. In the real version, her eyebrows are... well, they aren't really there, but in the fake version, she has these aggressive, pointed eyebrows that make her look like she’s judging your island's layout. It's a subtle change, but once you see it, you can't unsee it.
Then there’s the Wild Painting. This one is a nightmare because it comes in two halves: Left and Right. You’re looking at wind and thunder gods. On the Left Half, the real god is white. If he’s green, you’re looking at a fake. On the Right Half, the real god is green. If he’s white, Redd is playing you. It’s a simple color swap, but in the heat of the moment on the Trawler, it’s easy to mix them up.
Statues are the real trap
Statues are harder. They’re big, they’re expensive, and the fakes are often hilarious.
The Valiant Statue (Nike of Samothrace) is a fan favorite. The real one has her right leg forward. The fake has her left leg forward. It sounds simple, but when you haven't looked at a Greek statue in six months, you'll find yourself second-guessing everything.
- Gallant Statue (David): Check his hand. Is he holding a book? If so, it’s fake. David didn't have time for light reading.
- Ancient Statue: Look at the ears. Are they antennae? If they are, that’s a fake (and it’s the haunted one).
- Tremendous Statue: Does it have a lid? The real one is an open bronze box. The fake has a lid.
Don't let the "Cousin's Discount" fool you. Every time you walk onto that boat, assume everything is a lie until proven otherwise.
Why some art is always "Safe"
There is a small mercy in this game. Some pieces are always genuine. Redd can't fake everything, apparently. If you see the Greatest Painting (The Gross Clinic) or the Sinking Painting (Ophelia), buy them immediately. They are never fake.
Actually, there are quite a few of these. The Calm Painting, Common Painting, Dynamic Painting, and Flowery Painting are always the real deal. If Redd has one of these in stock, it’s a guaranteed donation to the museum. This is the "easy mode" of the redds artwork guide acnh strategy. If you're tired of squinting at pixels, just wait for these "Always Real" items to rotate into his shop.
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But remember: Redd only carries four pieces of art at a time. It is entirely possible—and honestly quite common—for all four pieces to be fakes. It feels like a slap in the face, but that’s the RNG life.
Dealing with the Co-op at Harv’s Island
In the 2.0 update, everything changed. You don't have to wait for the boat anymore. You can go to Harv's Island, pay 100,000 Bells to set up Redd’s stall, and he’ll be there every day.
This is the fastest way to finish your collection, but it requires a bit of manipulation. Redd refreshes his stock every Monday. However, if you buy a piece of art (even a fake one), he will replace that spot with a new piece the next day.
Experienced players use the "Trash and Refresh" method. See two fakes? Buy one anyway. Throw it in a trash can furniture item or mail it to a villager you hate. The next day, Redd will have a brand new item in that slot. It doubles your chances of finding a real piece within a single week. It's an expensive habit, but if you’re sitting on millions of Bells from the stalk market, it’s the only way to go.
The Nook Shopping App trick
You can actually check your catalog. If you’ve held a piece of art before, it shows up in your Nook Shopping app. But be careful: the app doesn't tell you if the one currently for sale is real. It only tells you that you've owned a version of it. I’ve seen people pass up real paintings because they thought they already had them, only to realize they only had the "haunted" fake in their storage.
The most common mistakes people make
Most players fail because they rush. Redd talks a lot. He tries to pressure you. "Only one today, cousin!"
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Don't listen.
The biggest pitfall is the Wary Painting vs. Graceful Painting. In the Graceful Painting (a woman looking back), the fake is much larger than the real one. In the real version, she takes up about two-thirds of the canvas. In the fake, she’s huge, nearly touching the edges. Also, there's a haunted version where she turns her head to look at you. It’s terrifying.
Another one is the Beautiful Statue. The real Venus de Milo doesn't have a necklace. The fake one has a thick, chunky necklace. It looks out of place, but if you're just glancing, you might think it's just "Animal Crossing style." It's not. It's a forgery.
Real-world comparisons for the curious
If you’re ever truly stuck, look up the real-life painting. Nintendo’s artists were incredibly faithful to the actual masterpieces.
- The Night Watch (Amazing Painting): In the fake, the man in the center is missing his hat.
- The Milkmaid (Quaint Painting): In the fake, there’s a massive stream of milk pouring out. The real one is just a thin trickle.
- Summer (Jolly Painting): Look at the chest. The real one has a sprout coming out of the corner. The fake is missing it.
It’s basically a high-stakes game of "Spot the Difference." Except the difference costs you 5,000 Bells and a disappointed owl.
Actionable steps for your next Trawler visit
Stop guessing. Follow these steps every time the smoke starts rising from the secret beach:
- Zoom in immediately. Use the "Take a closer look" option and move the camera to the specific areas mentioned (eyes, hands, neck, top corners).
- Check the "Always Real" list. If you see Flowery, Dynamic, Glowing, Moody, or Nice, just buy it. No thinking required.
- Identify the haunted fakes. If you’re into the occult or want cool decor, look for the Ancient Statue (glowy eyes) or the Scary Painting (man smiling instead of frowning).
- Cycle the stock at Harv's. If you have the Bells, buy one fake every day to force Redd to rotate his inventory. This is the only way to beat the RNG in a reasonable timeframe.
- Verify with Blathers. Even if you're 99% sure, don't just put it in your house. Take it to the museum. If he takes it, you're golden. If he doesn't, you have a new piece of "street art" for your island's back alleys.
Building a full museum gallery is one of the longest grinds in New Horizons. It takes patience, a bit of luck, and a very critical eye for 17th-century fashion. Next time Redd calls you "cousin," just remember: he's trying to sell you a Mona Lisa with eyebrows. Don't let him.