The Marquis de Sade (1740-1814) was one of the key figures identified by Andre Breton in his Surrealist Manifestos as inspirational to the whole Surrealist movement. Sade's importance to the Surrealists and their close affiliates is reflected in the sheer volume of their art and writing dedicated to, or inspired by, his life, philosophy and work. "Sadism And Surrealism" is a detailed essay which documents this body of work, in terms of both art and literature.