He moved in the Paris of great photographers such as Robert Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson, Brassaï, and Guy Bourdin; he joined the Catalan Photographic Association and was part of the Barcelona School; he worked for the press, publishers, and advertising agencies, but the compass that guided him in taking each photograph was never an aesthetic discipline: it was his own intuition. And this is evident in the photographic exhibition that Madrid is dedicating to Oriol Maspons (1928–2013).
“At every moment and in every phase, he does what his body and the camera demand of him, because he has almost always been an eye that lives behind the lens,” writes academic Publio López Móndejar about Maspons. Given that such a personal philosophy could only logically give rise to a unique style recognizable anywhere.
With that unique gaze of his—‘direct, ironic’—he managed to capture the modernization of Spain’s image during the second half of the 20th century—the social, cultural, and aesthetic changes— effortlessly blending two worlds: ‘the pleasant and mundane with the surreal and scandalous,’ notes Mondéjar.
The photographic selection is further complemented by bibliographic and newspaper archive material from the Pedro Melero / Marisa Llorente collection.
How can I visit the Oriol Maspons exhibition for free?
The exhibition can be visited in the photography gallery of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Calle de Alcalá, 13)—on the third floor— until June 14, 2026, following the approval of an extension for its stay in the capital: the closing date was originally set for April 12.
Although museum admission typically costs between €3 and €10, it is possible to visit for free during specific hours: Tuesday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., as well as on other designated dates such as May 18 (International Museum Day).
This free admission includes access to both the permanent collections (Goya Museum and Cabinet) and the temporary exhibitions.