A beautifully illustrated celebration of the biology culture art and taste of oystersa perfect gift for the foodie or the artist in your life.Everyone recalls eating their first oyster just like they remember their first kiss ampamp8230Portrait of an Oyster delves beyond the shucked shell to reveal the rich and surprising world of the oyster and the artists philosophers explorers and chefs the mollusc has inspired across the centuries. Illustrated with fullcolour paintings vintage advertisements line drawings and archival photographs Portrait of an Oyster shares intriguing insights into the biology and cultivation of oysters as the author embarks on an expedition across Europe and North America to taste some of the worlds best.Did you know that oysters shift their gender several times over the course of their lifetimes They have one muscle that keeps their two shells clamped firmly shut and a heart and basic circulatory system largely dependent on seawaterampamp8212although they have no brain or known nervous system.In the French region of MarennesOlampamp233eacuteronampamp8212where much of the technology of modern oysters farming was pioneeredampamp8212oysters are still considered among the finest in the world. Like champagne oysters from this region are protected by geographic distinction laws with some even getting initials lasered into their shells to preserve their prestige.