Who painted 'Tis Pity She's a Whore?

'Tis Pity She's a Whore was painted by Michael Sofroniou in 1991.

Where can I see 'Tis Pity She's a Whore?

'Tis Pity She's a Whore is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

'Tis Pity She's a Whore

Michael Sofroniou , 1991

'Tis Pity She's a Whore is a drawing by Michael Sofroniou. It dates from 1991 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This pen-and-ink drawing, executed in 1991, records a technical rehearsal for John Ford’s tragedy ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore.

About this work

The RSC was preparing the play for its opening at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Michael Sofroniou made this drawing in 1991. It shows a stage rehearsal for a play called “'Tis Pity She's a Whore.” That year he worked as an artist in residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The RSC was preparing the play for its opening at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Sofroniou captured the moment right before the lights went up.

Look up this artist’s other works at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This pen-and-ink drawing, executed in 1991, records a technical rehearsal for John Ford’s tragedy ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore.’ The scene captures actors and stagehands poised just before the curtain rise, documenting the preparatory moment for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production at the Swan Theatre in Stratford‑upon‑Avon.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the behind‑the‑scenes activity of a Shakespearean company staging a controversial early‑modern drama. By focusing on the rehearsal rather than the performance, the drawing emphasizes the collaborative labor and precise coordination required to bring the play’s complex staging to life.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a single‑plane drawing, the piece employs swift, confident lines to suggest movement and spatial depth. Sofroniou’s use of cross‑hatching conveys texture in costumes and set pieces, while the minimal palette of graphite underscores the documentary intent of the image.

History & Provenance

Created during Sofroniou’s tenure as Artist in Residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1991‑92, the drawing was produced on site at the Swan Theatre. It remains part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, where other works by the artist are also held.

Context

‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore’ was revived by the RSC in 1991, marking a notable moment in the company’s early‑1990s programming that explored lesser‑performed early modern texts. The drawing reflects the period’s interest in integrating visual documentation with theatrical production.