How to Tell If Art Is Fake in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH)

One of the most charming aspects of Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) is curating your very own art collection for Blathers’ museum. But if you’ve ever purchased a painting or sculpture from the mischievous fox Redd and later heard Blathers refuse it, you know how tricky spotting a fake can be.

Don’t worry! This guide will teach you how to tell if art is fake in ACNH — helping you grow your museum collection and avoid wasting your Bells.

Who Is Redd and Why Is He Suspicious?

Redd is a sly art dealer who occasionally visits your island on his “Treasure Trawler” ship. He sells both genuine and counterfeit artwork. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that what he offers is authentic — he often mixes in fakes to trick you.

The twist? You can only buy one piece of art per visit, and only real art can be donated to the museum. That makes choosing wisely very important.

Real vs. Fake Art: The Basics

Every artwork in ACNH is based on a real-world masterpiece — such as the Mona Lisa or the Great Wave off Kanagawa. However, some pieces sold by Redd are subtly (or obviously) altered fakes.

Here’s how to spot them:

1. Visual Differences
   The fake version often contains slight alterations from the original. These could include:

   • Different hand positions

   • Extra or missing elements

   • Wrong sizes or colors

   • Weird expressions or objects

2. Paintings Can Be Real or Fake — Sculptures Too
   Both types of art can have forgeries. Sculptures may have glowing eyes, wings, or extra items that give them away as fakes.

3. Not All Art Has Fakes
   Some artworks, like the Serene Painting, always come genuine. So if you recognize one of these, it’s safe to buy!

Common Fake Art Examples in ACNH

Here are a few popular examples of fake art and how to spot them:

• Academic Painting (Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci)

  • Fake: Has a coffee stain in the top right corner.

  • Real: No stain.

• Famous Painting (Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci)

  • Fake: Eyebrows are raised.

  • Real: Calm, neutral expression.

• Graceful Painting (Bijin-ga by Hishikawa Moronobu)

  • Fake: The subject is facing the wrong direction.

  • Real: Woman faces left.

• Wistful Painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer)

  • Fake: The girl is wearing a star-shaped earring.

  • Real: She wears a round pearl.

• Informative Statue (Rosetta Stone)

  • Fake: Glows in the dark.

  • Real: Does not glow.

• Rock-head Statue (Olmec Colossal Head)

  • Fake: Smiles.

  • Real: Has a serious expression.

Tips for Avoiding Fake Art

Here’s how to avoid getting tricked:

1. Use an Art Guide

There are several online tools and visual guides (like those on Nookipedia, Polygon, or IGN) that show side-by-side comparisons of real vs. fake art. Keep a tab open when visiting Redd!

2. Zoom In and Examine Carefully

When browsing Redd’s wares, you can press + (Plus Button) to zoom in and inspect artwork more closely. Look at every detail before purchasing.

3. Learn Which Artworks Are Always Real

Some art is always genuine. If you recognize one of these pieces, grab it without hesitation.

4. Redd Might Sell Only Fakes

Sometimes all four items on his ship are counterfeit. If none pass your inspection, skip the purchase and wait for his next visit.

What Happens If You Buy a Fake?

• You can’t donate it to the museum.

• You can still display it in your house or around the island.

• You can’t sell it at Nook’s Cranny — the twins will say it’s fake.

• You can give it to villagers — but they may or may not display it.

So while fakes can still be fun decorative pieces, they don’t serve a museum purpose.

Final Thoughts

Building a complete art wing in the museum is one of the most rewarding long-term goals in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. By learning to spot fake art, you’ll save time, Bells, and frustration. Use the visual clues, double-check with guides, and be vigilant when Redd docks.