EDITH ABIGAIL PURER American, 1895–1990 Palm Desert Oil on board. Signed lower right hand corner. Framed. 8.75 x 11.5 inches; frame 14 x 17 inches $150-250
ARTIST PROFILE: Edith Abigail Purer (1895–1990) was a trailblazing botanist, artist, and environmentalist who holds the distinction of being California’s first female professional ecologist. After earning her PhD from the University of Southern California in 1933 with a focus on coastal sand dune plants, Purer dedicated her career to both education and rigorous field research, publishing numerous scientific articles in prestigious journals and advocating for the preservation of California State Parks. Her ecological studies on rare and threatened ecosystems—such as vernal pools and salt marshes—remain vital today for scientists tracking the impact of human activity on native biodiversity. Beyond her scientific achievements, she was an accomplished landscape painter and traveler who regularly exhibited her work throughout California, earning recognition from the American Association of University Women for her creative contributions.
