Spanish Tortilla and Sorolla

If you’ve never had a Spanish tortilla, then dispel any thoughts of the thin, flat disk that’s served with enchiladas and tacos in Mexico and Central America.
But while we’re on the subject of Spain, I must share a few photos with you of the work of a too-little known Spanish artist named Joaquín Sorolla.
His work can be found in Spain, of course, but also at the Hispanic Society of America in New York, a much under appreciated, under visited museum in the northern reaches of Manhattan. The museum was founded in 1904 by the stepson of a railroad magnate, Archer Huntington.
The museum and library contain rare books, letters and documents pertaining to Spanish and Latin American culture, in addition to a stunning collection of decorative arts and paintings.
I have visited the museum several times in the last forty years since first finding out about it, and even though Velazquez, El Greco and other Spanish masters are represented there, I am always mesmerized by the Sorolla paintings.
The photos below are panels from his mural series depicting the various provinces of Spain, painted expressly for the museum in the early part of the last century.
Sorolla is a master of depicting the light, as you can see below in these glorious examples below.
Enjoy the photos, because it’ll be a while before the public can view the real paintings again in person. The museum closed on January 1, 2017 for a two to three year renovation,
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A portion of the murals that cover four walls.
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Seville: The Dance
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Ayamonte – The Tuna Catch
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Castile – The Bread Festival
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Galicia: The Cattle Fair
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8 servings
1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, quartered, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 onion, quartered, thinly sliced
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
8 large eggs, beaten to blend
Preparation
Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion, and salt. Use a heatproof spatula to coat potatoes with oil. When oil begins to bubble, reduce heat to medium low and cook, turning frequently, until potatoes are tender but not browned, 20-25 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer potatoes and onion to a large heatproof bowl. Add eggs and stir gently to combine; do not break up potatoes. Strain oil into a glass measuring cup; wipe out skillet.
Heat 3 tablespoons reserved oil from measuring cup in skillet over medium high heat. Add egg-potato mixture and cook, stirring constantly but gently to keep potatoes intact until eggs begin to set (eggs will look scrambled), about 2 minutes. Spread mixture in an even layer; reduce heat to medium low. Preheat broiler to high. Cook tortilla, shaking pan occasionally to prevent it from sticking, until eggs are nearly cooked through, about 12 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until top of tortilla is just cooked, about two minutes.
Remove from oven. Invert a large plate over skillet. Using oven mitts (skillet and potatoes will be very hot; use caution), hold plate firmly over skillet and flip, releasing tortilla onto plate. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours before serving.
Comments are closed.
Your tortilla looks really good! Perfect with a winter salad…
Best wishes for 2017!
Cheers,
Rosa
mi piace l'aspetto rustico di questa tortilla ! Bellissime le foto dei quadri, un bel post Linda! un abbraccio
The Spanish Tortilla does resemble a frittata and looks delicious! When we lived in Brooklyn we had a favorite Spanish restaurant on 4th Street called "Sanchos." They made delicious Mariscada and Paella among other dishes. Joaquín Sorolla's works are truly beautiful!
Those paintings are so vibrant just beautiful as well as the tortilla, sort of like our potatoes and eggs I grew up on, cucina povera. That was one inviting table, can't wait for the flan I never made it but one of Tonys favorite!
We are in a deep freeze and this "tortilla" is most comforting! The paintings are beautiful – I never knew about the museum when I lived there. I love the dance and the tuna catch. They're alive.
A magical evening of food, art, and literature. I was not familiar with the Spanish Tortilla but it so reminds me of the Frico of the Friuli area of Italy.
I see you're on a Spanish roll. And a delicious one at that. A well-made tortilla de huevos is one of the best things in the world…
With all of those potatoes, my family would be in heaven! I'm enjoying your Spanish focus! The art is extraordinary too!