The Family of Man - Collection photographique au Château de Clervaux

The photos offer a striking snapshot of the human experience which lingers on birth, love, and joy, but also touches war, privation, illness and death. His intention was to prove visually the universality of human experience and photography's role in its documentation.

The exhibit was turned into a book of the same name, containing an introduction by Carl Sandburg who was Steichen's brother-in-law. The book was reproduced in a variety of formats (most popularly a pocket-sized volume) in the 1950s, and reprinted in large format for its 40th anniversary. It has sold more than 4 million copies.

The exhibition later travelled in several versions to 38 countries. More than 9 million people viewed the exhibit. The only surviving edition was presented to Luxembourg, the country of Steichen's birth, and is on permanent display in Clervaux.

In 2003 the Family of Man photographic collection was added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in recognition of its historical value.

Source: www.en.wikipedia.org

Unfortunately the exhibition is closed for renovation until 2012. The collection The Family of Man is closed because of the renovation of the exhibition rooms and the restoration of the pictures. The re-opening of the exhibition is planned for 2012 – together with the other exhibition of Steichen of the CNA “The Bitter Years 1935-1941” in Dudelange.

During the work, you can follow the progression of the project on the website of the collection. There you also have the possibility to visit the museum virtually.

 
www.family-of-man.public.lu