Deborah Griscom Passmore

Deborah Griscom Passmore (1840–1911), American, Deborah Griscom Passmore, an American botanical illustrator, left an indelible mark on the field of botanical art through her meticulous watercolor paintings of fruit for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Born on July 17, 1840, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, she was the youngest of five children in a family with deep Quaker roots. Her early education at a boarding school, where her mother had once taught, laid the foundation for her artistic pursuits. Passmore further honed her skills at the School of Design for Women and the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, followed by a transformative year of study in Europe. There, the botanical illustrations of Marianne North at Kew Gardens inspired her to focus on the detailed depiction of plants.
Upon her return to the United States, Passmore dedicated herself to painting American wildflowers and lilies, aspiring to publish her work. Although her ambitious project, 'Flowers in Water Color: Wildflowers of America,' remained unpublished, her legacy is preserved in the USDA's Pomological Watercolor Collection. As the most prolific artist in the USDA's staff, her contributions account for a significant portion of the collection, showcasing her unparalleled skill in capturing the essence of her subjects with precision and beauty. Passmore's work not only exemplifies the scientific accuracy required of botanical illustration but also reflects the artistic trends of her time, bridging the gap between art and science.