How did Menno ter Braak and Edgar du Perron criticize superficial elegance in literature?

Menno ter Braak and Edgar du Perron criticized superficial elegance in literature by advocating for a return to sincerity and substance in content. In 1932, they cofounded the influential literary journal Forum, which served as a platform to reject contemporary aestheticism—a movement that prioritized form and elegance over genuine expression.123

By challenging the "preciousness" often found in art, Ter Braak and Du Perron sought to counteract what they viewed as a lack of depth in the literary culture of their time. Their movement emphasized the importance of individual integrity and honest communication, which stood in stark contrast to the superficiality they sought to dismantle. Through their critical work, they aimed to replace stylistic artifice with a more authentic, substantive approach to writing.132