Beyond Pleasure

Discover the intriguing insights of Margaret Iversen in her thought-provoking book, Beyond Pleasure, published by Pennsylvania State University Press in 2007. Spanning 204 pages, this compelling work delves into the intersection of psychoanalysis and art, drawing on the writings of influential figures such as Freud, Lacan, the Surrealists, and Roland Barthes.

Iversen skillfully elaborates a theory of art that transcends the pleasure principle, exploring the profound psychological aspects that inform artistic expression. With a keen focus on Lacan's connections to the Surrealists, including his exchanges with Salvador Dali, the book offers a unique reading of Dali's "paranoiac-critical" masterpiece, "The Tragic Myth of Millet's Angelus".

Whether you're a student of art history or a lover of modern art theory, Beyond Pleasure is an essential addition to your bookshelf, inviting readers to rethink the complexities of art and its psychological dimensions.