Why was Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve’s criticism of Charles Baudelaire considered disappointing?

Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve’s criticism of Charles Baudelaire is considered disappointing because, despite Sainte-Beuve’s reputation as a revolutionary critic who paved the way for modern literature, he failed to adequately recognize or appreciate Baudelaire’s significance as a precursor to modern poetry.1

While Sainte-Beuve was known for his wide-ranging literary portraits and his ability to provide historical context for authors, he is often reproached for his omissions and injustices toward several of his great French contemporaries, including Baudelaire, Gustave Flaubert, Stendhal, and Honoré de Balzac. His critical approach, which sometimes focused heavily on biographical details, occasionally led to assessments that modern readers find lacking in their evaluation of these influential writers.1