Susan Joyce Vreeland was an American author known for her historical fiction that often explored the intricate relationship between art and fiction. Her notable works include The Passion of Artemisia, which is a fictionalized investigation into the life of the renowned artist Artemisia Gentileschi, and Girl in Hyacinth Blue, which revolves around an imaginary painting by the famous artist Vermeer. Another significant work, The Forest Lover, offers a fictionalized account of the life of the Canadian painter Emily Carr.

Vreeland's literary contributions earned her international acclaim, and she was a four-time recipient of the prestigious Theodor Geisel Award for Fiction, the highest honor of the San Diego Book Award. Her works have been translated into 26 languages, further attesting to her global influence and popularity.