How to Get Art in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Avoid Fakes

To get art in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, buy paintings or statues from Jolly Redd and donate genuine pieces to Blathers. Your first painting is part of a scripted introduction; after the museum’s art gallery opens, look for Redd’s Treasure Trawler on your island’s north shore or check his stall at Harv’s Island. Inspect each work before paying because forgeries look convincing but cannot be donated.

1. Unlock the art gallery and meet Redd

First, build the Museum and keep donating to its existing exhibits. Once you have made 60 museum donations, talk to Blathers. When he brings up displaying art, Redd’s introductory visit can begin. If Blathers has not mentioned art yet, keep making eligible donations and speak with him again.

During the introduction, Redd offers you a painting at an absurd first price. Decline that amount and continue the conversation; he lowers the price to 4,980 Bells. Buy the painting and take it to Blathers. It is the guaranteed genuine starter piece, and donating it triggers the museum’s art-gallery expansion. The Museum closes briefly while the work is done. Nintendo’s update notes identify Redd’s Treasure Trawler and the Museum art gallery as New Horizons features.

Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons update notes

2. Find Redd’s Treasure Trawler

After the gallery is open, Redd can visit as one of your island’s rotating merchants. Open the map and check the small beach at the far north of the island; the ship marker is the quickest way to confirm that the Treasure Trawler has arrived. If cliffs block the route, use a ladder or a nearby incline to reach the beach.

Redd does not follow a dependable “every two weeks” schedule. Check your map and island announcements when you play, especially if you are working toward a complete collection. A missed visit does not mean you should count down to a fixed return date; other visitor rotations and special events can affect when he appears.

3. Inspect each artwork before buying

Inside the boat, look over all four works before choosing. Interact with a piece and select the option to look at it more closely. Compare the exact artwork with a reliable real-versus-fake reference before you confirm the purchase. The game’s forgeries may change a small detail, such as a person’s expression, clothing, pose, accessory, or the number or color of an object.

Do not assume every piece has a fake version; some works are always genuine. Also, do not rely on Redd’s confidence or a low-looking price as proof. Art from the boat costs 4,980 Bells per piece, and you can buy only one artwork per day from your island visit. If you cannot verify a piece, leave it and check again later rather than spending Bells on a forgery.

4. Buy the genuine piece and donate it

After buying artwork from the Treasure Trawler, check your mailbox the following day; Redd mails the piece instead of putting it straight into your pockets. Take it to Blathers and choose the donation option. He accepts authentic paintings and sculptures for the gallery, but rejects counterfeits. Nintendo’s Museum exhibit guide likewise notes that Blathers accepts art only when it is genuine.

Check Redd’s stall at Harv’s Island

For another way to see art, unlock the Open Market on Harv’s Island and fund Redd’s co-op stall with Bells. Once it is open, you can check his shop there even when the Treasure Trawler is not docked at your island. Nintendo confirms that visitors including Redd can set up shops in Harv’s plaza after players contribute Bells. The stall’s selection still changes over time, and it can include counterfeits, so use the same close-inspection routine before you buy.

Nintendo’s overview of Harv’s Island Open Market

Quick checklist

• Talk to Blathers after making progress on Museum donations.
• Buy the first painting during Redd’s introduction and donate it to open the gallery.
• Check the north-shore map marker and Harv’s Island stall for later stock.
• Inspect the exact artwork before buying; only genuine pieces go into the Museum.
• Check your mailbox the day after an art purchase.