The Art of Jesse Mockrin – pt.1

On By ResaIn Jesse Mockrin

ECHO

“Reworking familiar imagery is just my way of giving history a second look.” – Jesse Mockrin

Only Sound Remains – oil on linen

Based in Philadelphia, this artist examines Renaissance and Baroque artists’ art, with an eye on the survival of traditional narratives and beliefs in contemporary society. She then intervenes with her own modern canon.

Jesse Mockrin’s paintings “respond to histories of sexual violence and cruel treatment of women over millennia of myth and story, offering interventions and moments of resistance.”

Collectively, the paintings in ECHO highlight “an ongoing battle for bodily autonomy”.

The above painting is based on the Greek and Roman myth of Echo and Hera.

By Her Hand – oil on linen

The biblical widow and heroine, Judith, beheads Assyrian General Holofernes and saves her people. This was a popular subject for artists in the 15 & 1600’s due to the “stark contrast between Judith’s femininity and the aggression of her violence.”

Behold/Beholden – oil on linen

Mockrin builds up thin glazes of oil paint, a European Renaissance developed technique. “she crops her composition sharply, hiding critical elements of a story and leaving conflict unresolved.”

Unvarnished, her paintings have an eerie flatness.

In mid-stream – oil on canvas

“Grasping, pulling, lifting …. I am drawn to the ways that Baroque painters build drama and tension into their compositions.” Jesse Mockrin

Based on Ruben’s The Massacre of the Innocents, the woman in the right panel is based on one of the mothers protecting her children.

Painted circa 1610, The Massacre of the Innocents resides in the AGO’s collection. The photo on the left is an allowable share from the AGO. Click on the image to visit the page, and a larger version of the masterpiece..

In the Book of Genesis – Rachel and Leah were both married to Jacob.

Leah had many children. After many years of yearning to be a mother, Rachel had 2 sons. She died giving birth to the second child.

Longing – oil on linen
Lovesick – oil on linen
A cry is heard – oil on linen

“It’s very emotional and very real, her longing for a child and then her tragic death as a result of it.”

“We think we’re not that similar to these characters, but they were just people, same as us.” – Jesse Mockrin

Exhibition – oil on cotton

Pics taken by Resa – December 9, 2025

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

“Quotes in bold are by Jesse Mockrin”

“Quotes in italics are from the AGO”

All source is from the AGO

6 thoughts on “The Art of Jesse Mockrin – pt.1”

  1. Fascinating! I love how she has reinterpreted the “Old Masters” and these women’s stories. I will have to go back and peruse the paintings more carefully.

    (Her Website does not mention Philadelphia at all. It says she works and lives in LA, and there are no listed shows in Philadelphia either.)

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