Self-expression is only authentic when it's raw. This means that a self-expressionist is at his peak when he's least handicapped by experience. In fact, self-expressionists who learn how to draw usually become mediocre. The only ones who survived to reproduce were the ones who instinctively feared everybody and bit their heads off. This explains why so many people, like artists, who trust their instincts, behave like crocodiles.
Romantic artists start with the belief that human imperfection is caused by imperfect societies.
Unfortunately, this often leads them to believe they can improve people by smuggling improvements into society through the Trojan Horse of art. I know personally, I'd be happiest as dictator of a small island. The problem is that romantic artists are usually too disorganized to run their own lives, let alone societies. And most societies are too sensible to let them try it. An all purpose excuse for the artist to cast himself as a pearl before the swine of democracy.