This image presents an active vision of the raised deck motor yacht named amici ii. She is shown confidently making headway in a windswept sea, comfortably relying on the shipbuilding skills of Nelson & Reid of Nyack, New York. The artist most likely painted this as a direct commission for the owner, Walter W. Friend, shortly after the vessel's launch in 1937.
This is supported by friend's recognizable private signal burgee atop the mast, and the home port yacht club burgee of Manhasset Bay, New York, at the bow. Astern is yet another flag, being that of the U.
S. yacht ensign. With a 12' 5" beam and an overall length of 53' 3", AMICI II was powered with twin six-cylinder gas engines, the modern power supply descended from the traditional steam power of years prior.
The artist succeeds at capturing accurate perspective and scale, evident in the ship's deck lines and people onboard; the latter of which are enjoying the cruise in the aft cockpit whilst the captain holds true to his course. A colorful sky lingers above the well painted, active sea and brings forth the atmosphere of a pleasurable day's outing aboard a powerful new motor yacht.
