Jolly Redd, the sly art dealer, is a returning favorite in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, bringing a boatload of furniture and, more importantly, art for your consideration. However, not everything is as it seems! Redd is notorious for selling both genuine masterpieces and cunning forgeries. This comprehensive Redd Art Guide will help you navigate the murky waters of art collecting in Animal Crossing.
Just like in previous Animal Crossing games, Redd presents four art pieces on his ship, alongside a couple of furniture items. The catch? Only one piece of art can be purchased per visit. Adding to the challenge, it’s entirely possible for all four art pieces to be fakes! But don’t despair, with a keen eye and this guide, you can discern the real from the replica and fill your museum with genuine art. There are 43 unique art pieces to discover and donate, making art collecting a rewarding long-term goal.
Once you make a purchase from Redd, your chosen artwork will be delivered to your mailbox the following day.
Unlocking Redd’s Visits to Your Island
Before Redd graces your island with his presence, you need to pique Blathers’ interest in art. To do this, you must first enrich your museum with diverse donations. According to data miners, donating at least 60 items (fish, bugs, or fossils) to Blathers will trigger his contemplation of an art exhibit.
The day after reaching this milestone, Blathers will mention his desire to expand the museum to include art. Following this conversation, Isabelle will announce the arrival of suspicious art dealers during her daily announcements, signaling Redd’s imminent arrival on your shores. Keep an eye out for Redd roaming your island – he’s ready to make a deal!
Image: Jolly Redd trying to sell art in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
When you first encounter Redd, he’ll attempt to sell you a painting for an exorbitant 498,000 Bells. Politely decline, and he’ll offer a “special discount” bringing the price down to a much more reasonable 4,980 Bells. This first piece of art is guaranteed to be genuine – a starter for your museum’s art wing!
Donate this initial artwork to Blathers. He will then announce plans to open an art exhibit, closing the museum for renovations the next day. Two days later, the upgraded museum with its art exhibit will open, and Redd will begin to visit your island irregularly.
Finding Redd’s Secret Beach
Redd doesn’t dock at your main harbor. Instead, he anchors his “Treasure Trawler” at the secret beach located on the northern shore of your island. This secluded beach, nestled at the back of your island, often requires a ladder to access if you haven’t terraformed the area.
Redd’s boat appearances are random, similar to other special vendors like Kicks and Flick. While the exact frequency and any specific prerequisites beyond the museum upgrade are still somewhat unclear, having Resident Services upgraded to a building and progressing in museum donations likely plays a role in triggering his visits.
For a more consistent Redd experience, you can invite him to set up shop permanently at Harv’s Island Plaza for a 100,000 Bells investment. At Harv’s Island, Redd will offer two art pieces daily. Interestingly, both pieces can be either real or fake. You are still limited to purchasing only one artwork per day, regardless of location. If you buy a piece from Harv’s Island Redd, his stock will refresh with a new random piece the following day. If you resist temptation and don’t buy anything, the stock will refresh every Monday.
Utilizing Art: Museum and Decoration
Genuine artworks purchased from Redd serve two primary purposes: enriching your museum and enhancing your island or home décor. Donating real art to Blathers is crucial for completing the museum’s art wing and earning that satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Beyond the museum, art pieces, whether paintings or statues, function as regular furniture items. Display them in your home to add sophistication, or place statues outdoors to beautify your island landscape.
Fake artworks, however, cannot be donated to the museum, and Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny won’t buy them. If you regret a fake art purchase, disposal via a trash can furniture item is necessary. Alternatively, embrace the kitsch and display your forgeries to playfully deceive your less discerning island visitors!
Spotting the Difference: Real vs. Fake Redd Art
Redd’s art collection is based on genuine, world-renowned paintings and sculptures. The challenge lies in identifying the subtle differences between authentic masterpieces and his cleverly crafted forgeries. These distinctions are not always obvious and are notably more intricate than in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Each fake artwork exhibits a distinct variation from its real counterpart. This Redd art guide provides detailed descriptions of these differences for each painting and statue, helping you become a discerning art connoisseur in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Important Note (Updated Information): While this guide utilizes in-game textures for comparisons, there have been reports of variations in fake paintings beyond those initially documented. Always carefully inspect each artwork and cross-reference with the real versions before making a purchase to avoid being fooled by Redd’s trickery. This guide will be continuously updated with new findings and refined details as more information becomes available.
Paintings: Real vs. Fake Identification
Serene Painting (Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci)
Image: Identifying the fake Serene Painting in Animal Crossing by raccoon-like eyes on the ermine.
Real: The lady holds an ermine that is completely white.
Fake: The ermine has dark, raccoon-like circles around its eyes.
Warm Painting (The Clothed Maja by Francisco de Goya)
Image: The always genuine Warm Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Warm Painting is guaranteed to be genuine, a safe purchase every time!
Wistful Painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer)
Image: Spotting fake Wistful Painting in Animal Crossing by star-shaped earring or closed eyes.
Real: Features a pearl earring.
Fake: Has a star-shaped earring. Another fake version depicts the girl with her eyes closed, also with a star earring.
Academic Painting (Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci)
Image: Identifying the fake Academic Painting in Animal Crossing by a coffee stain mark.
Real: Clean and unmarked.
Fake: Has a noticeable coffee stain in the top right corner.
Graceful Painting (Beauty Looking Back by Hishikawa Moronobu)
Image: Telling real from fake Graceful Painting in Animal Crossing by the presence of a white tag.
Real: Features a small white tag near the woman’s hair.
Fake: Lacks the white tag. Another fake version shows the woman facing left instead of right, and she appears larger in the frame.
Calm Painting (A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat)
Image: The always genuine Calm Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Calm Painting is always authentic.
Flowery Painting (Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh)
Image: The always genuine Flowery Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: You can always trust the Flowery Painting to be real.
Jolly Painting (Summer by Giuseppe Arcimboldo)
Image: Identifying the fake Jolly Painting in Animal Crossing by missing flower on chest.
Real: Features a prominent sprout or flower on the subject’s chest.
Fake: Lacks the flower on the chest.
Moody Painting (The Sower by Jean-François Millet)
Image: The always genuine Moody Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Moody Painting is always a safe bet.
Famous Painting (The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci)
Image: Spotting fake Famous Painting in Animal Crossing by the presence of eyebrows.
Real: The Mona Lisa is famously depicted without eyebrows.
Fake: Features prominent eyebrows.
Scary Painting (Ōtani Oniji the 3rd as Yakko Edobei by Tōshūsai Sharaku)
Image: Telling real from fake Scary Painting in Animal Crossing by eyebrow expression.
Real: Displays angry-looking eyebrows.
Fake: Has sad-looking, downturned eyebrows. Another fake version might show him smiling but still with sad eyebrows.
Dynamic Painting (Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai)
Image: The always genuine Dynamic Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Dynamic Painting is always genuine.
Scenic Painting (The Hunters in the Snow by Pieter Bruegel the Elder)
Image: Identifying the fake Scenic Painting in Animal Crossing by missing hunters and dogs.
Real: Depicts hunters and dogs in the snowy landscape.
Fake: Is missing the hunter and dogs in the foreground.
Moving Painting (The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli)
Image: Spotting fake Moving Painting in Animal Crossing by missing trees.
Real: Shows trees in the top right corner of the painting.
Fake: Is missing the trees in the upper right corner.
Amazing Painting (The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn)
Image: Telling real from fake Amazing Painting in Animal Crossing by the presence of a hat.
Real: The man in the front prominently wears a hat.
Fake: The man in the front is missing his hat.
Quaint Painting (The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer)
Image: Identifying the fake Quaint Painting in Animal Crossing by excessive milk pouring.
Real: The milkmaid pours a modest stream of milk.
Fake: The milkmaid is pouring a significantly larger, more exaggerated stream of milk.
Solemn Painting (Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez)
Image: Spotting fake Solemn Painting in Animal Crossing by raised arm of background figure.
Real: The man in the background has his arm slightly lowered.
Fake: The man in the background has his arm raised higher.
Basic Painting (The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough)
Image: Telling real from fake Basic Painting in Animal Crossing by hair volume.
Real: The boy is depicted with less voluminous hair.
Fake: The boy has significantly more hair.
Worthy Painting (Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix)
Image: The always genuine Worthy Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: Always genuine, the Worthy Painting is a safe purchase.
Glowing Painting (The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner)
Image: The always genuine Glowing Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Glowing Painting is another artwork that is always real.
Common Painting (The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet)
Image: The always genuine Common Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Common Painting is guaranteed to be authentic.
Sinking Painting (Ophelia by John Everett Millais)
Image: The always genuine Sinking Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: You can always rely on the Sinking Painting being real.
Nice Painting (The Fifer by Édouard Manet)
Image: The always genuine Nice Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Nice Painting is consistently genuine.
Proper Painting (A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Édouard Manet)
Image: The always genuine Proper Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Proper Painting is another guaranteed real artwork.
Mysterious Painting (Isle of the Dead by Arnold Böcklin)
Image: The always genuine Mysterious Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Mysterious Painting is always a genuine piece.
Twinkling Painting (The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh)
Image: The always genuine Twinkling Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Twinkling Painting is consistently authentic.
Perfect Painting (Apples and Oranges by Paul Cézanne)
Image: The always genuine Perfect Painting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: As the name suggests, the Perfect Painting is never fake.
Wild Painting Left Half (Folding Screen of Fūjin and Raijin by Tawaraya Sōtatsu)
Image: Identifying the fake Wild Painting Left Half in Animal Crossing by the color of the beast.
Real: The beast depicted on the left half is white.
Fake: The beast on the left half is green.
Wild Painting Right Half (Folding Screen of Fūjin and Raijin by Tawaraya Sōtatsu)
Image: Spotting fake Wild Painting Right Half in Animal Crossing by the color of the beast.
Real: The beast on the right half is green.
Fake: The beast on the right half is white.
Detailed Painting (Ajisai Sōkeizu by Itō Jakuchū)
Image: Telling real from fake Detailed Painting in Animal Crossing by foliage color and signature.
Real: Features blue foliage and a signature on the left side.
Fake: Has purple foliage and is missing the signature.
Statues: Real vs. Fake Identification
Warrior Statue (Terracotta Warrior by Unknown)
Image: Identifying the fake Warrior Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of a shovel.
Real: Stands empty-handed, holding nothing.
Fake: Is holding a shovel.
Motherly Statue (Capitoline Wolf by Unknown)
Image: Spotting fake Motherly Statue in Animal Crossing by the wolf’s tongue.
Real: The wolf’s mouth is closed, with no tongue visible.
Fake: The wolf has its tongue sticking out.
Beautiful Statue (Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch)
Image: Telling real from fake Beautiful Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of a necklace.
Real: The statue is bare-necked, without any jewelry.
Fake: Is wearing a necklace.
Robust Statue (Discobolus by unknown)
Image: Identifying the fake Robust Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of a watch.
Real: The statue’s raised arm is unadorned.
Fake: Is wearing a watch on his raised arm.
Gallant Statue (David by Michelangelo)
Image: Spotting fake Gallant Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of a book.
Real: Stands nude and unencumbered.
Fake: Is holding a book under his arm.
Informative Statue (Rosetta Stone by Unknown)
Image: Telling real from fake Informative Statue in Animal Crossing by color.
Real: Is black in color, resembling the original Rosetta Stone.
Fake: Is blue.
Ancient Statue (Jōmon Period “Dogū” Figurine Shakōki-dogū by Unknown)
Image: Identifying the fake Ancient Statue in Animal Crossing by antennas and glowing eyes.
Real: Features a smooth head with no protrusions.
Fake: Has two antenna-like protrusions on the side of its head. It may also have glowing blue eyes.
Tremendous Statue (Houmuwu Ding by Unknown)
Image: Spotting fake Tremendous Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of a lid.
Real: Is an open vessel, without a lid.
Fake: Has a distinct lid on top.
Mystic Statue (Bust of Nefertiti by Thutmose)
Image: Telling real from fake Mystic Statue in Animal Crossing by the presence of an earring.
Real: The bust has no earring.
Fake: Has an earring on her right ear (viewer’s left).
Rock-head Statue (Olmec Colossal Head by Unknown)
Image: Identifying the fake Rock-head Statue in Animal Crossing by the smile.
Real: Has a stern, serious expression.
Fake: Is smiling.
Valiant Statue (Nike of Samothrace by Unknown)
Image: Spotting fake Valiant Statue in Animal Crossing by leg position.
Real: Nike’s right leg is positioned forward.
Fake: Nike’s left leg is forward.
Familiar Statue (The Thinker by Auguste Rodin)
Image: The always genuine Familiar Statue in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: You can always trust the Familiar Statue to be genuine.
Great Statue (King Kamehameha I by Thomas Ridgeway Gould)
Image: The always genuine Great Statue in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Always Real: The Great Statue is always authentic.
With this Redd art guide in hand, you’re now equipped to confidently explore Redd’s Treasure Trawler, discern real art from fakes, and build a magnificent art collection in your Animal Crossing: New Horizons museum! Happy art hunting!
