'Florent in the Sun' by John MacConnell

CURATOR'S NOTE

A beam of afternoon light, a face scoping for beauty, and the quiet gravity of being seen. In Florent in the Sun, John MacConnell distills a private Fire Island moment into something cinematic—sun pooling across skin, shadow cooling the room, time slowing to a hush.

WHY THIS WORK

A record of creative lineage and fellowship.

A bridge between MacConnell’s house-portraits and the very view they see on the beach on warm summer days.

ABOUT THE SUBJECT

Florent is an artist and muse from Paris and a close friend of MacConnell. Both artist and subject share a lineage through Mark Beard (a.k.a. Bruce Sargeant), under whom they’ve each worked and spend time. Mentorship turning into friendship, and moments turning into painting, as the physical manifestation of memory.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

John MacConnell works where portraiture meets place. For our exhibition IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Portraits of Homes in the Pines, he rendered houses as living subjects while capturing structure, and the atmospheres and memories they hold.

DETAILS

Artist: John MacConnell
Title: Florent in the Sun
Year: 2025
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 20 x 16 in.
Signature: Signed/Dated
Framing: Float-mounted in Black (included)
Provenance: The Visitors Center; directly from the artist.

STATUS

Available. To view in person or discuss acquisition, please inquire.