The Family of Man

About the museum

The photo exhibition “The Family of Man” was assembled by Edward Steichen for the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Between 1951 and 1955 he and his team gathered images through contacts with photographers, advertisements and the archives of Life magazine and agencies such as Magnum. The result is 503 photographs by 273 photographers from 68 countries, conceived as a manifesto for peace and the fundamental equality of human beings. The show was first presented at MoMA in 1955 and toured the world until 1962; it has reached more than 10 million visitors.

In the 1960s, at Steichen’s request, the U.S. government gave Luxembourg the last complete version of the traveling exhibition. Steichen wished for it to be permanently displayed at Clervaux Castle. From 1974 to 1989, a selection of the images was first shown there. In the 1990s the historic prints were restored, and since 1994 the collection has been housed in Clervaux as a permanent exhibition. In 2003 UNESCO added it to the Memory of the World Register.

In 2010 the exhibition closed for renovation; by July 2013 the rooms had been redesigned and the photographs restored again. The collection consists of original prints from 1955, all black-and-white images mounted on wooden boards, in sizes from 24 × 36 cm to 300 × 400 cm. The route and sequence of images follow the original MoMA staging; the plain room design is by Nathalie Jacoby (NJOY). The exhibition is run by the Centre national de l’audiovisuel (CNA).

Highlights

• 503 original prints by 273 photographers from 68 countries
• Last complete version of the MoMA exhibition from 1955
• UNESCO Memory of the World since 2003
• Route and image sequence following the original MoMA staging
• Documentation room with books and documents on Steichen and the photographers
• Free multimedia guide in German, French and English

Permanent exhibition

• The Family of Man – The last complete version of Edward Steichen’s 1955 photo exhibition, with 503 images on the theme of humanity and peace.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Centre national de l’audiovisuel (CNA)

Admission & discounts

A free guided tour takes place every Sunday at 16:00 (tickets must be reserved). Free admission for holders of the Kulturpass; according to the tourism portal, also with the LuxembourgPass. The multimedia guide is included in the admission price. Group tours are available on request in Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Dutch, for up to 20 people per group; booking three weeks ahead is recommended.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access via the side entrance (the main entrance has stairs), where there is also an accessible parking space. All areas can be reached by elevator. Texts and videos of the multimedia guide are available as transcripts.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

There is a family quiz in German, English, French and Luxembourgish; a baby-changing table is located in the women’s restroom.

Getting there & parking

The exhibition is in Clervaux Castle; according to the tourism portal, public transport is nearby. An accessible parking space is located at the side entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Public toilets available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit