Quadrennial Phenomenon 

Clarence E. Sherdon created this intaglio print, “Quadrennial Phenomenon,” using a copper plate. The scene shows a politician gesturing wildly from a podium, as if he's trying to fly. The title leads us to think of the American election cycle. But the scattered rectangles above him might represent the fractured promises that are typically made during such campaigns, the hot air that fills the room. The etcher’s methods are critical to the meaning here. To create this image, Sherdon would have painstakingly scored lines into the metal surface, and then applied ink to it. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. It’s a laborious, indirect process, requiring time and skill. The result here is a textured surface, where the velvety darks contrast with stark whites. There's a lot of work involved in the production process, which contrasts with the politician's empty promises. So next time you hear a political speech, remember the effort that goes into works like this, reminding us to consider the difference between rhetoric and reality.