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belletrist

plural noun

literature regarded as a fine art, especially as having a purely aesthetic function.
light and elegant literature, especially that which is excessively refined, characterized by aestheticism, and minor in subject, substance, or scope.

noun

a writer of belles-lettres

noun

(functioning as singular) literary works, esp essays and poetry, valued for their aesthetic rather than their informative or moral content

also bellettrist, 1816, from belles-lettres + -ist. Adjective belletristic is recorded from 1821.

“elegant literature, aesthetics,” 1710, French, literally “fine letters,” from belles, plural of belle, fem. of beau “fine, beautiful” (see beau) + lettres, plural of lettre “letter” (see letter). The literary equivalent of beaux arts.