Art Trivia by David Jonathan and Nicholas Meeves

Created by: David Jonathan, Nicholas Meeves

Art Trivia is a clever and humorous close-up mentalism trick where the audience is led to believe they are identifying a fake painting among real ones, only to discover their choice is the only genuine piece. The trick involves five envelopes, each containing a famous painting with clues on the back. The performer asks the audience to guess which painting is fake, leading to a surprising and funny reveal that all other paintings are the fakes, and their choice was the real one. This trick is perfect for comedy magicians and themed events, requiring no sleight of hand and featuring a quick reset.

Where to buy

Monster Magic	Art Trivia by David Jonathan, Nikolas Mavresis, & TCC	£27.99	🇬🇧 Shop
Alakazam Magic	Art Trivia by David Jonathan, Nikolas Mavresis, & TCC Magic	£30.50	🇬🇧 Shop
Magicbox	Art Trivia by David Jonathan, Nikolas Mavresis, & TCC Magic	£31.08	🇬🇧 Shop

Key features

No sleight of hand required, making it beginner-friendly.
Quick reset time, suitable for multiple performances.
High-quality, durable props enhance the performance.
Comedic twist with a surprising reveal.
Perfect for themed events like art auctions or art walks.

Pros

Easy to perform with minimal setup.
Engages the audience with a humorous and unexpected ending.
High-quality materials ensure longevity.
Versatile for various performance settings.

Cons

Thematic nature may not suit every magician's act.
Requires some knowledge of famous paintings for optimal performance.

Effect

Art Trivia is a magic trick where the performer presents five envelopes, each containing a famous painting. The audience is asked to guess which painting is fake based on clues on the back of the envelopes. After they choose one, the performer reveals that their selection is the only genuine painting, while the others are comically fake, childlike drawings. The surprise twist creates a humorous and engaging moment.

Full Details

The trick includes five high-quality envelopes and cards, each featuring well-known artworks like the Mona Lisa and The Scream. The envelopes are gimmicked to allow a clean performance with no suspicious handling. The method is self-working, requiring no sleight of hand. After the reveal, the envelopes appear empty, adding to the mystery.

The props are durable and professionally printed, making them suitable for casual or formal performances. The reset is quick, taking about 15-20 seconds, allowing for multiple performances in a short time.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Art Trivia is ideal for:

Beginners – No sleight of hand is needed.
Comedy magicians – The trick has a strong humorous payoff.
Themed events – Works well at art-related gatherings or fundraisers.
Walk-around performers – Compact size and quick reset make it practical for close-up settings.

Difficulty

The trick is very easy to perform. As Scott from EverythingMagicPro99 notes, "If you can open an envelope and pull a card out, you can perform this." The only preparation required is familiarizing yourself with the paintings and their clues.

What Magicians Say

Scott (EverythingMagicPro99) initially doubted the trick but changed his mind after positive audience reactions. He praises the high-quality props and suggests adding calligraphy to the paintings for a polished look.
Fiddlin Jonny calls it a "fun surprise comedic gag" and highlights its suitability for comedy magicians and themed events. He also mentions the clear tutorial and durable props.
Alex Kirk (Monster Magic Shop) appreciates the clean method and free-choice illusion but wishes the fake art were funnier. He recommends customizing the presentation for added humor.

Art Trivia is a lighthearted, easy-to-perform trick that delivers strong reactions, making it a worthwhile addition to many performers' routines.

What people are saying about Art Trivia

EverythingMagicPro99 says...

Initially, I thought this was a rubbish trick... but then I performed it on a couple of people and the reaction was really good. It's really important to try magic tricks on people to see their reaction.

fiddlinjonny says...

Art Trivia is a fun surprise comedic gag ending type of an effect... it's super clean, super easy, and all of the props do all of the magic for you.

monstermagicshop says...

It's easy and fun... a little bit silly perhaps but it is quite strong magic because they do have a completely free choice of any of the pictures.