In the collaborative photo series Playing at Bullfighting (Spanish: Toreo de salón) by Oriol Maspons and Julio Ubiña, created in the 1950s and published in 1963, the photographers explore the informal practice of simulated bullfighting in everyday Spanish settings. Maspons, an important figure in revitalizing Spanish photographic language, partnered with Ubiña to document this playful yet culturally resonant tradition. The project emerged during Francoist Spain, a time marked by political repression and cultural censorship, yet also a period of burgeoning modernism in artistic expression. This historical context provides a rich backdrop, as the series reflects the subtle tensions between tradition and the desire for creative liberation.
By capturing individuals mimicking the movements of bullfighters, often using household objects as stand-ins for bulls, the series highlights the performative and imaginative nature of this pastime. Through this lens, the project not only showcases a unique aspect of Spanish culture but also comments on the human condition—our ability to navigate fear, creativity, and identity in both serious and playful ways.
Visually, Maspons and Ubiña utilize a range of compositional techniques, from close-ups that draw attention to the expressions and gestures of participants, to wider shots that situate them within their environments. The interplay of light and shadow, characteristic of the period’s photographic aesthetic, adds layers of mood and texture. In some images, dramatic contrasts evoke a sense of mystery and intensity, while others use softer lighting to convey a playful and intimate atmosphere.
Released in 1963 within Lumen’s Palabra e Imagen series, Playing at Bullfighting circulated within Spain’s literary‑photographic milieu. Its visibility has been maintained through institutional contexts: images entered the MNAC archive in 2011; selections appeared in Oriol Maspons. La fotografia útil, 1949–1995 (MNAC, Barcelona, 2019–2020); and the series was presented in the group exhibition “Bulls and Bullfighters” (Anne Clergue Gallery, Arles, 2022). Works by Maspons are held in collections such as MoMA and the Museo Reina Sofía.
