This thesis aims to produce an erotics of the image. My research ensues from a particular genealogy of recent 'theoretical art criticism' that itself draws on the writings of Georges Bataille. Whilst most histories of Surrealism articulate the movement under the aegis of Andre Breton, a number of recent accounts have argued for the importance of Bataille and his milieu of 'dissent surrealists'. In the light of the impacts of Bataille on recent theoretical art criticism and explore the 'limits' of these analyses by introducing aspects of Bataille's writings on Eroticism that have not be foregrounded therein.

A thesis submitted for the degree of MPhil. at the University of Kent.