71 The Captain

The Captain sits calmly in the shallows, a small but assured presence in a world scaled far larger than itself. Schuco’s Nautico electric motor yacht is the undisputed hero of this painting, its crisp blue deckhouse, white hull, and maroon detailing cutting cleanly through the dark, pebbled water below. There is confidence in its design. Nothing flashy, nothing wasted. A compass mounted proudly on the front deck quietly reminds us that this vessel is built with purpose: it knows where it is going, even if the journey itself is imagined.

Toys like this were never just objects. They were promises. The compass brings back memories of spy television programmes and childhood fantasies of secret missions and coded routes. I remember a pair of shoes with a compass set into the insole, an ingenious novelty that made every footstep feel like part of a larger plan. Direction mattered then, even if the destination was only the far end of the driveway or the edge of the garden pond.

The Nautico is powered by two batteries that drive the propeller and rotate the radar mounted above the deck. It is a small mechanical marvel, the sort of toy that rewards curiosity. You can see how it works, hear it hum into life, and understand that someone, somewhere, took pride in making it right. At over seventy years old, this example still runs as good as new, a testament to a level of build quality that feels increasingly rare. The toy and its box carry the quiet authority of things made to last, not to be replaced.

Finding this particular model took years. When it finally surfaced, boxed and well cared for, it was in Italy, far from its origins in West Germany. That long journey only adds to its story. Objects travel, gather histories, and arrive with layers of meaning attached. By the time it reached my studio, the Nautico had already lived several lives.

In the painting, the boat drifts among water lilies and goldfish, their scale deliberately exaggerated to heighten the sense of vulnerability and wonder. The fish are real, owned and loved by friends in Waipu, and they have names: Scar, Beast, and Comet. Naming gives character, and character invites narrative. Are they guardians, curious onlookers, or silent judges of this immaculate intruder? The water is clear enough to see every stone beneath the surface, anchoring the fantasy in careful observation.

Schuco, founded in 1912 in Nuremberg, Germany’s toy capital, built its reputation on precision and imagination. The Nautico, produced between 1950 and 1960 and measuring 37 centimetres, belongs to a golden age when toys were teaching tools as much as playthings. They encouraged care, patience, and respect for objects that had weight and consequence.

The Captain is ultimately about control and calm. In a world that often feels adrift, this small electric yacht offers reassurance. Set your course, trust the compass, and move forward steadily. Even in shallow water, there is dignity in knowing where you stand, and where you are heading next.

The Captain, Oil on Linen, 95cm x 125cm. This painting is available for purchase

Available as a Gallery Edition