At the time of the Garden’s establishment, it was common for scientific institutions to employ staff artists to document their collections. Maud Purdy was employed as the Garden’s botanical illustrator for 32 years, from 1913 to 1945. Purdy’s botanical art was greatly appreciated for its beauty and educational value, and even today her vivid floral paintings stand out for their artistry and precision. In 2004, 235 of her paintings, illustrations, and sketches were digitized.