No title (1980) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A kaleidoscope of emotions
Capturing the magic of lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) in its entirety is an almost impossible task. Its combination of sport, charisma, color, representation, and even notions of good and evil make it a legendary spectacle that transcends social and generational barriers.
Audience by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Moments inside and outside the ring
That's not to say that no one has ever achieved it. Lourdes Grobet, a talented photographer, masterfully captured wrestling over the decades, including flips, wrestlers, their lifestyles outside the ring, and the fervent fans who cheer on their favorite fighters.
A night in the ring (1980) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A lasting passion
Lourdes was born in 1940, the daughter of Ernesto Grobet, a talented Olympic cyclist. Sports played an important part in her childhood. It was in this spirit that she fell in love with lucha libre after watching its first television broadcast in 1950.
An impressive career
Despite several attempts, her father refused to take her to the arena. It wasn't until she completed her art studies and met her mentor, Mathias Goeritz, during her time at the Cardiff College of Arts that Lourdes finally attended the arena for the first time in 1970.
La Briosa, Martha I and La Bruja (1981) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Love at first sight
It was love at first sight. Although her initial contacts with the world of wrestling were a little complicated, as it was uncommon to find a female photographer interested in capturing the matches, she gradually won the hearts of the stars of lucha libre.
La Briosa with the businessman Mr. Flores (1981) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Behind the scenes of lucha libre
Lourdes Grobet met legends of the sport and visited movie sets with the legendary Santo himself, whom she admired for his generosity. He was a magnificent person, without pretensions, always attentive to his fans. Grobet found in him an invaluable inspiration.
Tania la Guerrillera and Reyna Gallegos (1982) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Female wrestlers
Lourdes' work brought her closer to the historic women's wrestling movement. Thanks to her, we have portraits of emblematic female wrestlers who, with courage and determination, paved their way in a sport traditionally dominated by men.
In defense of their sport
It wasn't until 1986 that women could openly wrestle in the arenas of Mexico City, after an unofficial veto imposed in 1954 for the sake of 'morals' and 'protection of femininity'.
La Briosa training (1982) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Perseverance and gallantry
In the series La Doble Lucha and Lucha por la Vida, developed from 1980 onwards, Lourdes Grobet stepped away from the ring to portray the people behind the masks. She revealed the reality of female wrestlers, who were forced to have a second occupation due to lack of opportunity.
La Briosa entering the ring (1980) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Defining a new femininity
Lourdes discovered new models of femininity in the female wrestlers: some of them were housewives and others even municipal police officers. These women stood out despite the numerous obstacles they faced.
La Venus in the dressing room (1981) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The legendary Venus
La Venus longed to be a black belt, but destiny intervened in the Arena Afición de Pachuca and her life took a turn. With courage and wearing a mask by Don Ranulfo López Mirón, creator of El Santo's mask, she went on to wrestle in Japan and became a true legend.
"I am La Venus, the Goddess of Love. I love life, I love what I do."
A night in the ring (1980) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Glimpses of the ring
Lourdes' lens captured many legendary moments, but above all it immortalized the people who build the essence and myth of wrestling. Thanks to her work, we remember the spirit of perseverance, courage, and gallantry of the wrestlers.
La India Sioux in her bedroom (1983) by Lourdes GrobetMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Lourdes Grobet
A portrait that penetrates deep into the heart of wrestling and highlights its special essence.
This story was created with the support and collaboration of Centro de la Imagen.
Archive: Photographs by Lourdes Grobet that protects the CI Photographic Collection.
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