Painting, n.: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather, and exposing them to the critic.

His vehemence as a critic his motto "Nothing matters" and the sardonic view of human nature that informed his work all earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce". His style often embraces an abrupt beginning dark imagery vague. Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (born June 24 1842; assumed to have died sometime after December 26 1913) was an American editorialist journalist short story writer fabulist and satirist.

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (born June 24 1842; assumed to have died sometime after December 26 1913) was an American editorialist journalist short story writer fabulist and satirist. Despite his reputation as a searing critic Bierce was known to encourage younger writers including poet George Sterling and fiction writer W. Bierce employed a distinctive style of writing especially in his stories.