Joseph Hergesheimer (1880–1954) initially hoped to be a painter, but eventually turned to writing. His study of painting is thought to have informed the pictorial details in his fiction. Admired by H. L. Mencken, Hergesheimer’s reputation wavered – from being voted “most important American writer” in 1922 to being almost unknown at the time of his death. He is best remembered for the novels Three Black Pennies and Java Head.