Understanding Jolly Redd and the Art Collection System

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, collecting art represents one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of completing your museum. The introduction of Jolly Redd, a charismatic yet shady fox merchant, brought an entirely new dimension to gameplay when he was added in the Version 1.2 Update on April 23, 2020. This sophisticated art dealer arrives on your island aboard his mysterious Treasure Trawler, docked at the secret northern beach, offering players the opportunity to acquire famous paintings and sculptures from art history. However, there is a significant catch that makes this collecting quest particularly challenging and engaging for players worldwide.

The art collection mechanic in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is inspired by real-world art authentication challenges. Jolly Redd sells a mixture of genuine masterpieces and clever forgeries, requiring players to develop a keen eye for detail to avoid purchasing counterfeit artwork. Each art piece is priced at 4,980 Bells, making every purchase decision consequential. The genuine artworks can be donated to Blathers at the museum, where they are displayed in a beautiful art gallery that expands your cultural collection. Fake artworks, however, are rejected by Blathers and cannot be sold at Nook’s Cranny, leaving them useful only as decorative items for your home or island.

How to Unlock Redd and Access His Treasure Trawler

Before you can begin your art collecting journey, you must first unlock access to Jolly Redd and trigger the museum expansion. The process requires specific prerequisites and follows a particular sequence of events. To unlock Redd, you must first donate at least 60 items to Blathers at the museum. These items can include any combination of fish, bugs, fossils, and sea creatures. Once you reach this milestone, Blathers will mention his interest in expanding the museum to include an art exhibit, setting the stage for Redd’s arrival.

During Redd’s first visit to your island, the Treasure Trawler will be docked at the northern secret beach, but the boat will be closed. Instead, Redd will be wandering around your island. When you encounter him and initiate conversation, he will introduce himself with his characteristic charm and salesmanship. He will initially attempt to sell you a painting for an outrageous price of 498,000 Bells. After you decline this offer, he will dramatically reduce the price to just 4,980 Bells, which represents only one percent of his initial asking price. This first painting is guaranteed to be genuine, ensuring that you can successfully complete the museum expansion process.

After purchasing your first artwork from Redd and donating it to Blathers, the museum will close for construction the following day. When the museum reopens, it will feature a brand new art gallery section where your donated paintings and sculptures will be beautifully displayed. From this point forward, Redd will begin appearing on your island as a regular special visitor. Redd can visit on weekdays from Monday through Friday, beginning at 5:00 AM. Each week, the game selects five random special visitors from a pool that includes characters like Saharah, Gulliver, Label, and others. Redd is included in this rotation, meaning his appearances are not guaranteed every week.

When Redd returns for subsequent visits, his Treasure Trawler will be accessible at the northern secret beach. You will need to have a ladder to climb aboard the ship, as there is no other way to access the deck. Inside the Treasure Trawler, you will find a curated selection of four art pieces, which may include paintings, sculptures, or a combination of both. Additionally, Redd offers two pieces of furniture for sale, which are always genuine and can be purchased without concern. The art pieces, however, present the challenge that has become synonymous with Redd’s reputation.

Complete List of Paintings: Real vs Fake Identification

Animal Crossing: New Horizons features a total of 30 different paintings that players can collect. Each painting is based on a famous real-world artwork, and the game uses their aesthetic characteristics to create an engaging authentication challenge. Understanding how to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit paintings is essential for building your museum collection efficiently and avoiding wasted Bells on forgeries. Some paintings have no fake versions and are always genuine, while others require careful examination to spot the subtle differences.

Paintings That Are Always Genuine

Several paintings in Animal Crossing: New Horizons do not have fake versions, making them safe purchases whenever you encounter them. These artworks include the Calm Painting (based on Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”), the Common Painting (Jean-François Millet’s “The Gleaners”), the Dynamic Painting (Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”), the Flowery Painting (Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”), the Glowing Painting (Joseph Mallord William Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire”), the Moody Painting (Jean-François Millet’s “The Sower”), the Perfect Painting (Edouard Manet’s “Apples and Oranges”), the Proper Painting (Francisco de Goya’s “The Clothed Maja”), the Sinking Painting (John Everett Millais’s “Ophelia”), the Twinkling Painting (Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”), the Warm Painting (Francisco de Goya’s “The Maja Nude”), the Worthy Painting (Eugène Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People”), and the Mysterious Painting (Arnold Böcklin’s “Isle of the Dead”). When you see any of these paintings available for purchase, you can buy them with complete confidence.

Academic Painting Authentication Guide

The Academic Painting is based on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Vitruvian Man,” one of the most recognizable drawings in art history. This piece depicts the ideal human proportions according to ancient Roman architect Vitruvius. To identify whether you are looking at a genuine Academic Painting or a forgery, examine the upper right corner of the artwork carefully. The fake version contains a noticeable coffee stain in the top right area, suggesting that someone carelessly placed a cup on this priceless drawing. The real version has no such stain and appears clean throughout. This is one of the easier paintings to authenticate once you know what to look for.

Amazing Painting Identification Tips

The Amazing Painting recreates Rembrandt van Rijn’s masterpiece “The Night Watch,” a large-scale group portrait that revolutionized the genre when it was completed in 1642. This painting depicts a militia company in Amsterdam preparing to march. The authentication process for this artwork focuses on a specific figure in the composition. In the genuine version, the man prominently featured in the center-front of the group wears a distinctive large black hat. The counterfeit version removes this crucial detail, showing the same figure without his hat. This change is relatively easy to spot when you know to look for the headwear of the central figure.

Basic Painting Real vs Fake Differences

The Basic Painting is inspired by Thomas Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy,” an iconic portrait from 1770 that depicts a young man dressed in elaborate blue clothing. This painting became one of the most famous portraits in British art history. The key to authenticating this artwork lies in examining the subject’s hairstyle. In the genuine Basic Painting, the boy has hair only in the middle portion of his forehead, creating a somewhat receding appearance. The fake version gives the subject a completely different hairstyle, with hair covering his entire forehead in a straight-cut fringe or bangs style. This represents a significant alteration to the portrait’s appearance and should be immediately noticeable when comparing the two versions.

Detailed Painting Verification Method

The Detailed Painting features Itō Jakuchū’s “Rooster and Hen with Hydrangeas,” a beautiful example of Japanese art depicting chickens among flowering plants. This artwork requires attention to multiple details for proper authentication. The genuine version includes a red stamp or seal on the left side of the painting, which represents the artist’s signature, along with a visible vertical signature. Additionally, the flowers in the real version display a mixture of colors, including blue hydrangeas among the purple ones. The fake version typically shows all purple flowers without the blue variations and lacks the authentic artist’s seal, making these the primary indicators to watch for during authentication.

Famous Painting Spotting Guide

The Famous Painting represents perhaps the most iconic artwork in the entire collection: Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” This Renaissance masterpiece requires careful attention to facial details. In the authentic Famous Painting, the subject’s eyebrows appear natural and properly proportioned. The counterfeit version alters this crucial facial feature, giving the Mona Lisa noticeably raised or arched eyebrows that change her enigmatic expression. While the difference may seem subtle at first glance, when you look directly at the face, the eyebrow modification becomes apparent. The fake version’s altered expression deviates significantly from the carefully balanced composition that made this portrait famous.

Graceful Painting Authentication Process

The Graceful Painting is based on Hishikawa Moronobu’s “Beauty Looking Back,” a classic example of Japanese ukiyo-e art. This painting has multiple fake variations, making it one of the more complex pieces to authenticate. The genuine version shows the woman in a specific size and position, occupying approximately two-thirds of the canvas with the top third remaining empty. One fake version makes the woman significantly larger, causing her to fill nearly the entire canvas space. Another counterfeit variation changes her orientation, showing her facing forward instead of looking backward over her shoulder as in the original. Some fake versions also exhibit haunted properties, with the painting changing appearance at certain times of day.

Jolly Painting Real Version Markers

The Jolly Painting recreates Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s whimsical “Summer,” which depicts a human figure composed entirely of summer vegetables and fruits. This painting exemplifies the artist’s unique style of creating portraits from natural objects. The authentication detail for this piece is quite specific. The genuine Jolly Painting includes a small flower or vegetation sprouting from the figure’s chest area in the lower right portion of the artwork. This botanical detail is absent from the fake version, leaving that area of the composition without the sprouting plant. The difference is relatively small but becomes clear once you know exactly where to look on the vegetable-formed figure.

Moving Painting Differences Explained

The Moving Painting is inspired by Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus,” one of the most celebrated paintings of the Italian Renaissance. This mythological scene depicts the goddess Venus emerging from the sea. In the authentic version, trees are visible in the background behind the figure on the right side of the composition. The fake version removes these background trees, creating a noticeably different landscape behind the figure. This vegetation serves as an important compositional element in the original, and its absence in the forgery creates a significant change to the painting’s depth and setting. Examining the background carefully on the right side will reveal whether you are viewing the genuine article.

Nice Painting Authentication Standards

The Nice Painting features Édouard Manet’s “The Fifer,” depicting a young boy dressed as a military fifer player. This painting showcases Manet’s bold, simplified style that influenced the development of modern art. Authenticating this piece requires examining the figure’s attire carefully. In the genuine Nice Painting, specific elements of the uniform and the figure’s positioning remain consistent with Manet’s original composition. While some sources indicate subtle differences in the figure’s proportions or positioning, the most reliable method involves comparing the overall composition to reference images of the authentic artwork when making your purchasing decision.

Quaint Painting Real vs Fake Analysis

The Quaint Painting is based on Johannes Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid,” a Dutch Golden Age masterpiece depicting a domestic servant pouring milk. This painting is renowned for its extraordinary use of light and texture. The genuine version shows the milkmaid wearing a white cap or bonnet on her head. Some fake versions alter this detail, though the specific changes can vary. When examining this painting, focus on the headwear and overall composition, comparing it carefully to reference images. Vermeer’s original painting has very specific lighting and color characteristics that are essential to its authenticity.

Scary Painting Identification Markers

The Scary Painting recreates Tōshūsai Sharaku’s “Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei,” a dramatic example of Japanese kabuki theatre portraiture. This artwork depicts an actor in an intense expression characteristic of kabuki performance. The fake version shows the figure with noticeably different eyebrows or facial expressions compared to the genuine version. Some counterfeit variations also exhibit haunted properties, with the painting’s appearance changing during certain times or when viewed from different angles. The authentic version maintains consistent features that match Sharaku’s original dramatic composition. Pay close attention to the facial details and expression when evaluating this painting.

Scenic Painting Verification Points

The Scenic Painting features Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s “The Hunters in the Snow,” one of a series depicting different times of the year. This winter landscape shows hunters returning to their village. In the genuine version, the hunter on the left side of the painting does not wear a hat. Some fake variations add a hat to this figure, altering the composition that Bruegel originally created. Another detail to examine involves the specific positioning and appearance of the hunting dogs accompanying the figures. Comparing the left side of the painting carefully against reference images will help you identify the authentic version.

Serene Painting Authentication Guidelines

The Serene Painting is based on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine,” a portrait that showcases the artist’s skill in capturing both human and animal subjects. The painting depicts Cecilia Gallerani holding a white ermine. In the genuine Serene Painting, the ermine (a weasel-like animal) is completely white with no color variations. The fake version changes the animal’s coloring to gray or shows it with bands of different shades across its body, creating a distinctly different appearance. This color change is relatively easy to spot once you know to examine the animal’s fur carefully, making this one of the more straightforward paintings to authenticate.

Solemn Painting Real Version Characteristics

The Solemn Painting recreates Diego Velázquez’s “Las Meninas,” one of the most analyzed paintings in Western art history. This complex composition depicts members of the Spanish royal court. Authentication requires examining a specific figure in the background of the painting. In the genuine version, a man visible in the background near the center of the composition has his hand positioned behind a curtain or door frame. The fake version changes this detail, showing the man with his arm raised in a different position, possibly waving. This background detail requires careful examination but provides a reliable method for distinguishing the authentic painting from its counterfeit version.

Wild Painting Left Half and Right Half

The Wild Painting is unique because it consists of two separate pieces: the Wild Painting Left Half and Wild Painting Right Half. Both halves are based on Ogata Kōrin’s “Wind God and Thunder God,” a Japanese screen painting. Each half requires separate authentication. For the Wild Painting Left Half (depicting the Wind God), the genuine version shows the deity with white skin. Fake versions may alter this coloring significantly. For the Wild Painting Right Half (depicting the Thunder God), the authentic version shows the deity with dark green skin. Counterfeit versions may change these crucial color characteristics. These two halves must be collected separately and each presents its own authentication challenge.

Wistful Painting Identification Features

The Wistful Painting is inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” one of the most famous portraits in art history. This painting’s authentication focuses on a specific and obvious detail. In the genuine Wistful Painting, the girl wears a pearl earring that is round and circular in shape. The fake version changes the earring to a star shape or removes it entirely, creating an immediately noticeable difference. This is one of the easiest paintings to authenticate because the earring detail is prominently featured and the change is quite obvious. Simply look at the girl’s ear to verify you are purchasing the authentic artwork.

Complete Statue Collection Guide

Animal Crossing: New Horizons includes 13 different statues that players can collect for their museum. These sculptures are generally rarer than paintings, as they appear less frequently in Redd’s inventory rotation. The game determines which type of art can appear in each of the four slots on Redd’s boat, and large sculptures can only appear in one specific slot, making them considerably more difficult to obtain. Understanding how to authenticate each statue is essential for completing your sculpture collection efficiently.

Statues That Are Always Genuine

Two statues in the game have no fake versions and can be purchased without authentication concerns. The Familiar Statue, based on Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker,” is always genuine. This iconic sculpture depicts a nude male figure in deep contemplation, seated with his chin resting on his hand. The Great Statue, inspired by Thomas R. Gould’s “King Kamehameha I,” is also always real. This statue honors the Hawaiian monarch who unified the Hawaiian Islands. When you encounter either of these statues at Redd’s Treasure Trawler, you can purchase them with complete confidence knowing they are authentic.

Ancient Statue Real vs Fake Guide

The Ancient Statue is based on the Dogū, clay figurines from prehistoric Japan. This statue has multiple fake variations, making it one of the more interesting pieces to authenticate. The most common fake version features two antenna-like protrusions on the top of the statue’s head, resembling ears or antennae. These distinctive additions are completely absent from the genuine version. Additionally, there is a haunted fake variation that exhibits glowing blue eyes at certain times and may even levitate, creating an eerie effect. The real Ancient Statue has no antennae and no glowing features, maintaining the appearance of the authentic archaeological artifact.

Beautiful Statue Authentication Method

The Beautiful Statue recreates one of the most famous sculptures from antiquity: the “Venus de Milo” by Alexandros of Antioch. This Hellenistic marble sculpture depicts the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology). The fake version of the Beautiful Statue features a decorative necklace around the lower part of the neck near the shoulders. The genuine statue has no such adornment, as the real “Venus de Milo” is not wearing any jewelry. This necklace addition is relatively easy to spot when you examine the upper body area of the sculpture carefully. The authentic version maintains the classical simplicity of the original marble statue.

Gallant Statue Verification Details

The Gallant Statue is inspired by Michelangelo’s “David,” one of the most recognizable sculptures in the world. This Renaissance masterpiece depicts the biblical hero David in a contrapposto pose. To identify the fake Gallant Statue, look at the figure’s right arm (the viewer’s left side). The counterfeit version shows the statue holding or carrying a book tucked under his right arm. The genuine statue has no book and shows the arm hanging naturally at the side, consistent with Michelangelo’s original composition. This added prop is quite noticeable once you know to examine the arm area, making this statue relatively straightforward to authenticate.

Informative Statue Fake Identification

The Informative Statue is based on the Rosetta Stone, the ancient artifact that was crucial in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. The stone contains the same text written in three different scripts, making it one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history. The fake Informative Statue is blue in color, while the genuine version maintains the dark gray or black appearance of the real Rosetta Stone. This color difference is extremely obvious and makes the Informative Statue one of the easiest pieces to authenticate in the entire collection. Simply examine the overall color of the stone to immediately determine its authenticity.

Motherly Statue Real Version Markers

The Motherly Statue recreates the “Capitoline Wolf,” an iconic bronze sculpture from ancient Rome depicting the she-wolf who, according to legend, nursed the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The fake version shows the wolf with a visible tongue protruding from its mouth. The genuine statue has the mouth closed or shows minimal tongue, maintaining the appearance of the authentic Roman sculpture. Some players also report that the color or patina of the fake version may appear different, though the tongue detail remains the most reliable authentication marker for this statue.

Mystic Statue Authentication Guidelines

The Mystic Statue is inspired by the “Bust of Nefertiti,” the famous limestone bust of the Egyptian queen created around 1345 BCE. This artifact is renowned for its remarkably preserved condition and striking beauty. The fake Mystic Statue features an earring or additional adornment that is not present on the genuine version. The authentic bust shows the queen without this extra decoration, maintaining the appearance of the real archaeological artifact. Additionally, some counterfeit variations may exhibit changes in the headdress or crown details. Examining the face and headpiece area carefully will help you identify the real statue.

Robust Statue Verification Standards

The Robust Statue is based on the “Discobolus” or “Discus Thrower,” a famous Greek sculpture depicting an athlete in the motion of throwing a discus. This statue captures the ancient Greek ideal of athletic perfection. In the fake version, the statue wears a wristwatch or bracelet on one wrist, which is anachronistic for an ancient Greek sculpture. The genuine Robust Statue has no such modern accessory, showing only the bare arm and hand as in the original classical sculpture. This anachronistic addition is relatively easy to spot once you know to look at the statue’s wrists carefully.

Rock-head Statue Real vs Fake Analysis

The Rock-head Statue represents a colossal stone head, inspired by the Olmec colossal heads from ancient Mesoamerica. These massive sculptures are among the most distinctive artifacts from pre-Columbian civilization. The fake Rock-head Statue exhibits a smile or different facial expression compared to the genuine version. The authentic statue maintains the serious, stoic expression characteristic of the real Olmec heads. Some players also note differences in the eye details between the real and fake versions. Examining the facial expression carefully provides the most reliable method for authenticating this imposing sculpture.

Tremendous Statue Identification Markers

The Tremendous Statue is inspired by the “Houmuwu Ding,” an ancient Chinese bronze vessel from the Shang Dynasty. These ritual vessels represent some of the most sophisticated bronze casting achievements in ancient history. The fake Tremendous Statue features a lid on top of the vessel, while the genuine version is open at the top. This difference is clearly visible and makes authentication straightforward. Simply look at the top of the bronze vessel to determine whether it has a lid (fake) or is open (genuine). The authentic version maintains the appearance of the real archaeological artifact.

Valiant Statue Authentication Process

The Valiant Statue recreates the “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” one of the most celebrated sculptures from ancient Greece. This Hellenistic marble sculpture depicts Nike, the goddess of victory. In the fake version, the statue’s right leg (from the viewer’s perspective) shows the foot angled differently or the leg positioned in a way that differs from the authentic sculpture. The genuine version maintains the specific pose and positioning of the original “Winged Victory.” Examining the lower portion of the statue and comparing the leg and foot positioning carefully will help you distinguish the real from the fake.

Warrior Statue Real Version Characteristics

The Warrior Statue is based on a terracotta warrior from the famous Terracotta Army in Xi’an, China. These life-sized sculptures were created to accompany China’s first emperor in the afterlife. The fake Warrior Statue holds a shovel or different tool in its hands, while the genuine version does not carry this implement. The authentic statue should show the warrior in a specific pose consistent with the real terracotta figures from the archaeological site. Examining what the statue is holding or the positioning of its hands provides a reliable authentication method for this piece.

Advanced Strategies for Art Collection

Successfully completing your art collection in Animal Crossing: New Horizons requires more than just knowing how to authenticate each piece. Strategic approaches can significantly accelerate your progress and help you obtain all 43 artworks more efficiently. Understanding Redd’s visiting patterns, utilizing multiple user accounts, and leveraging community resources can transform the art collecting experience from a potentially years-long endeavor into a more manageable project.

Multiple User Account Strategy

One of the most effective methods for expanding your art collection involves creating multiple user profiles on your Nintendo Switch console. Each user profile on your Switch can create a character on your island, and each character is permitted to purchase one artwork per visit from Redd. This means that if you have four user profiles, you can potentially purchase all four artworks that Redd brings each time he visits. Given that Redd often brings multiple genuine pieces (though he may also bring zero), this strategy dramatically increases your acquisition rate. The primary user can donate the genuine pieces to the museum, while additional accounts simply serve as purchasing agents to acquire art that would otherwise be left behind.

Harv’s Island Permanent Shop

After the Version 2.0 update released in November 2021, players gained access to Harv’s Island Market, which includes a permanent shop for Redd. This addition significantly changed the art collecting landscape in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Once you unlock Redd’s co-op shop on Harv’s Island by contributing the required 100,000 Bells for construction, he will maintain a permanent presence there with two artworks available for purchase. The selection changes once per week or immediately after you purchase an item. This provides additional opportunities to acquire art beyond Redd’s random visits to your island. The Harv’s Island location also features Redd’s raffle, where for 500 Bells you can win small handheld items such as food items and fans.

Time Travel Methods for Collectors

While controversial within the Animal Crossing community, time traveling offers a method for players who wish to complete their art collection more rapidly. By adjusting the Nintendo Switch system clock, players can manipulate when special visitors like Redd appear on their island. This technique allows dedicated collectors to cycle through Redd’s visits much more quickly than waiting for his natural appearance schedule. Time travelers can potentially complete the entire art collection in just a few hours or days rather than the nearly two years it might otherwise require through normal gameplay. However, this method requires careful manipulation of system settings and some players prefer to avoid it to maintain the intended gameplay experience.

Island Visiting and Trading Strategies

The Animal Crossing community offers robust trading opportunities for art collectors. When visiting another player’s island through local or online multiplayer, you can purchase from their Redd if he is present on their island, provided you have not already purchased from Redd on your own island that day. This creates opportunities for coordinated trading sessions where players with Redd present on their islands can invite others to purchase art. Online communities, forums, and social media groups dedicated to Animal Crossing facilitate these trading opportunities, with players often posting when Redd is on their island with genuine artworks available. This collaborative approach leverages the multiplayer features to help everyone complete their collections more efficiently.

Understanding Art Value and Museum Display

The artwork in Animal Crossing: New Horizons serves purposes beyond simple collection completion. Each piece represents a real-world masterpiece, offering players exposure to art history’s most significant works. The museum’s art gallery section, designed by the talented in-game curator Blathers, presents these works in an elegant exhibition space that encourages exploration and appreciation. Understanding the cultural and historical significance of these artworks enhances the collecting experience and adds educational value to the gameplay.

Real-World Artwork Origins

Every painting and sculpture in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is based on an actual artwork housed in museums around the world. The collection spans multiple centuries, continents, and artistic movements, from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome to Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, through to modern artists like Vincent van Gogh. Players who wish to see these artworks in person would need to travel to 12 different countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Major museums featured include the Louvre in Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and many others. This global representation demonstrates the game’s commitment to celebrating world cultural heritage.

Museum Display and Educational Features

When you donate genuine artwork to Blathers, it becomes permanently displayed in the museum’s art gallery. The museum presentation allows you to walk through the gallery and examine each piece up close. By pressing the A button while standing in front of any artwork, you can read detailed information about the piece, including its real-world title, the artist who created it, and the time period it represents. This educational component transforms the museum into more than just a completion checklist, offering players opportunities to learn about art history in an engaging, interactive format. The museum also features atmospheric lighting and architecture that enhances the gallery experience.

Fake Art Alternative Uses

While fake artwork cannot be donated to the museum or sold at Nook’s Cranny, it retains some functionality for creative players. Counterfeit paintings and sculptures can be used as decorative elements in your home or displayed around your island. Some players deliberately create gallery spaces featuring fake art, embracing the humorous or unusual aspects of the forgeries. In your home’s basement, fake art does not negatively impact your Happy Home Academy rating, allowing you to display it freely. Some of the haunted fake paintings, which change appearance at night or exhibit supernatural effects, have become particularly popular decorative items. If you decide you no longer want fake art, you must dispose of it using a trash can furniture item, as Nook’s Cranny will not purchase forgeries.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Collecting art in Animal Crossing: New Horizons presents several challenges that can frustrate even experienced players. Understanding these common obstacles and their solutions helps maintain enthusiasm for the collecting process and prevents disappointment.

Dealing with All-Fake Visits

One of the most frustrating experiences in art collecting occurs when Redd visits your island with four artworks, but all of them are forgeries. This situation is entirely possible and not uncommon. When this happens, the best strategy is to simply wait for Redd’s next visit rather than purchasing fake art. However, some players choose to purchase a fake artwork anyway to maintain engagement with the art collection process, keeping the forgery for decorative purposes. Remember that Redd can have anywhere from zero to four genuine pieces during each visit, so encountering an all-fake selection is part of the intended gameplay challenge rather than a glitch or error.

Duplicate Artwork Management

As you progress through your art collection, you will inevitably encounter duplicate genuine artworks. When Redd offers a painting or sculpture you have already donated to the museum, Blathers will refuse to accept it because the museum only displays one of each piece. Duplicate genuine artwork cannot be sold at Nook’s Cranny, similar to fake art, but it can be sold through other methods. You can list duplicate genuine art on Nookazon or other trading platforms where other players might be interested in purchasing pieces they need. Alternatively, duplicate art can be given as gifts to villagers or displayed in your home or around your island. Some players create secondary gallery spaces using their duplicate collections.

Rare Statue Hunting

Statues appear significantly less frequently than paintings in Redd’s inventory due to the game’s programming. Large statues can only appear in one specific slot on Redd’s boat, while paintings can appear in any of the four available positions. This rarity makes completing the statue collection particularly challenging. The Beautiful Statue and Robust Statue are often cited as among the rarest pieces to obtain. Players seeking to complete their statue collection should prioritize purchasing statues whenever they appear genuine, even if it means temporarily skipping paintings they still need. The Harv’s Island permanent shop helps mitigate this challenge by providing an additional weekly opportunity to encounter statues.

Pro Tips for Efficient Art Collecting

• Create a checklist system to track your progress. Maintaining a detailed record of which paintings and sculptures you have already donated prevents confusion and helps you prioritize future purchases. Many players use spreadsheets, mobile apps, or the ACNH Companion app to track their art collection status. This becomes especially valuable when you are close to completion and only need a few specific pieces.
• Take screenshots or photos of the art authentication guides. Store reference images on your phone or computer that show the differences between real and fake versions of each artwork. This allows you to quickly verify artwork when Redd visits without needing to search for authentication information during time-sensitive purchasing decisions.
• Visit Redd immediately when he arrives on your island. Other players visiting your island can purchase from Redd before you do, potentially taking genuine pieces you wanted. Check the secret beach as soon as you see announcements or indicators that Redd has arrived to ensure you have first access to his inventory.
• Use the museum entrance painting to check for Redd’s presence. If Redd is on your island, you will see a small boat icon on the map at the secret beach location. Additionally, Isabelle sometimes mentions special visitors during her morning announcements, though she does not always announce Redd specifically.
• Consider the furniture offerings as bonus purchases. The two furniture items Redd sells are always genuine and change with each visit. These items are not required for museum completion but can provide unique decorative options for your home or island. Some of these furniture pieces are exclusive to Redd and cannot be obtained through other means.
• Practice patience with the RNG mechanics. The art collection system uses random number generation to determine which pieces Redd brings and whether they are genuine or fake. This means you could go weeks without seeing a particular piece you need, only to encounter it multiple times once you finally obtain it. Understanding this randomness helps manage expectations and prevents frustration.
• Join online communities dedicated to art trading. Reddit communities like r/ACTrade, Discord servers, and Twitter accounts regularly facilitate art trading sessions. These communities often organize events where multiple players with Redd present on their islands open their gates simultaneously, creating extensive trading opportunities.
• Examine artwork before purchasing even if you think you know which pieces are fake. It is easy to misremember authentication details, especially for artworks with subtle differences. Taking an extra moment to verify can prevent wasting 4,980 Bells on a forgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the art collection?

Without using time travel or trading, completing the entire art collection typically takes between 18 to 24 months of regular gameplay. This extended timeline results from Redd’s infrequent visits (approximately once every two to three weeks on average) combined with the random nature of which artworks he brings and whether they are genuine or fake. Players who utilize multiple user accounts, trade with others, or time travel can complete the collection in a matter of weeks or even days. The introduction of Redd’s permanent shop on Harv’s Island in the Version 2.0 update reduced the average completion time somewhat by providing an additional weekly opportunity to acquire art.

Can I buy more than one artwork from Redd per visit?

Each player character can purchase only one artwork per Redd visit. However, if you have multiple user profiles on your Nintendo Switch with characters living on your island, each character can purchase one artwork. This means an island with four residents could potentially purchase all four artworks that Redd brings during a single visit. This strategy significantly accelerates art collection progress for players willing to create and manage multiple characters.

What happens if I accidentally buy a fake artwork?

If you purchase fake artwork from Redd, you will not be able to donate it to the museum, as Blathers will identify it as a forgery and refuse to accept it. Fake artwork cannot be sold at Nook’s Cranny but can be used as decoration in your home or around your island. Some fake paintings have special animated or haunted effects that make them interesting decorative pieces despite their counterfeit status. To dispose of unwanted fake art, you must use a trash can furniture item, as there is no other method to remove it from your inventory or storage.

Does Redd always have at least one genuine artwork?

No, Redd is not guaranteed to have any genuine artworks during his visits. It is entirely possible for all four pieces he brings to be forgeries. Conversely, he can also bring up to four genuine pieces in a single visit, though this is relatively rare. The number of genuine artworks varies randomly with each visit, making some Redd appearances much more valuable than others for collection purposes.

How can I tell if Redd is on my island without checking the secret beach?

When Redd is visiting your island, his Treasure Trawler will appear on your map at the secret beach location on the northern shore. You can check your map to see if the boat icon is present. Additionally, Isabelle occasionally mentions special visitors during her morning announcements, though she does not always specifically mention Redd. Some players also report that their villagers might mention a suspicious fox on the island, providing another clue to Redd’s presence.

Are there any artworks more rare than others?

While all artworks have equal probability of appearing in Redd’s general inventory rotation, statues appear less frequently overall because they can only occupy one specific slot on Redd’s boat. This makes completing the statue collection generally more challenging than completing the painting collection. Among statues, pieces like the Beautiful Statue and Robust Statue are often cited by players as particularly elusive, though this is based on community experience rather than confirmed differences in appearance rates. The Great Statue, being a large outdoor piece, also appears less frequently in the standard rotation.

Can I catalog art from other players?

No, artwork cannot be cataloged in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This means you cannot order art from the Nook Shopping catalog even if you have held a piece previously. The only ways to obtain art are by purchasing it from Redd on your own island, purchasing it from Redd on another player’s island, or receiving it as a gift from another player who has physically obtained it from Redd.

What should I do if I need only one or two more pieces?

When you are down to your final few artworks, the random nature of Redd’s inventory can make completion particularly frustrating. Your best strategies include checking Redd on Harv’s Island weekly for your needed pieces, actively participating in online trading communities to find players whose Redd has your remaining artworks, or considering time travel if you are comfortable with that approach. Some players have waited months for their final piece to appear through normal gameplay.

Conclusion

Completing the art collection in Animal Crossing: New Horizons represents one of the game’s most substantial and rewarding long-term goals. The challenge of distinguishing genuine masterpieces from clever forgeries adds an engaging layer of gameplay that educates players about art history while testing their attention to detail. Whether you choose to collect art through patient regular gameplay spanning many months, utilize strategic approaches with multiple accounts and trading, or employ time travel techniques for faster completion, the journey offers opportunities to encounter some of the world’s most famous artworks recreated in Nintendo’s charming style.

The art collection system demonstrates the depth and longevity that Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers to dedicated players. Understanding Redd’s mechanics, memorizing authentication techniques for all 43 pieces, and developing effective acquisition strategies transforms what could be a frustrating random process into a manageable project. The museum’s beautiful art gallery serves as a testament to your dedication, displaying your curated collection of genuine masterpieces while Blathers proudly explains the cultural and historical significance of each piece.

For players seeking to complete every aspect of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the art collection stands alongside achievements like collecting all DIY recipes, photographing all villagers, and creating five-star islands. The satisfaction of finally donating that last elusive statue or painting to complete the museum’s art wing makes the extended collection journey worthwhile. Armed with comprehensive authentication knowledge, strategic approaches, and patience with the game’s random mechanics, any dedicated player can eventually achieve a complete art collection and enjoy the educational and aesthetic rewards it provides.