The Phoenix - Atlanta, GA - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This sculptor of The Phoenix is located on a pedestrian walkway that connects the Five Points MARTA station with Marietta Street.


The Phoenix is a mythical bird that near the end of its life span builds a nest of twigs that then ignites; both the nest and the bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises, reborn anew to live again. The Phoenix is the symbol of Atlanta that like the mythical bird rose from the ashes of the American Civil War.

The Phoenix appear to be rising from the ground, its lower body and wing tips seem to be scorched and buried while the head begins to take on the form of a bird taking flight.

Reference Wikipedia - Phoenix (mythology) (visit link)

TITLE: The Phoenix ARTIST(S): Somaini, Francesco, 1926 DATE: 1964-1970. Relocated 1981 MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze with 24 karat gold leaf; Base: polished black granite. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS GA000100 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: 18 Marietta Street Atlanta, GA The address given is of the McDonalds on Marietta Street at the north east end of the pedestrian walkway. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: None noted, a rather difficult peace to describe.

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Date Logged Log   03/14/2010 Lat34North visited it