Why did Flemish Realist writers reject Romanticism after about 1860?

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Belgian literature The ethnic and linguistic composition of Belgium.

After about 1860, Flemish Realist writers, led by Domien Sleeckx, rejected Romanticism because they sought to move away from the sentimentalism, didacticism, and over-idealization that characterized the earlier movement.12

Instead of the romanticized themes of the past, these writers prioritized:

Acute observation: A focus on capturing the details of local scenery and everyday life.12
Realism: The use of everyday language and real-life settings to ground their narratives.12
Psychological depth: A shift toward the exploration of individual psychology.12
Tone: The inclusion of humor and, frequently, a pervasive sense of pessimism.12

By shunning the stylistic excesses of Romanticism, these authors aimed for a more grounded and honest representation of the human experience.12