Family of Man Exhibition | Clervaux

The Family of Man is a world-renowned photographic exhibition permanently housed in Clervaux-castle_clervaux" class="underline">Clervaux Castle. Curated by Edward Steichen for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 1955, it is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World register.

Visual Characteristics

The exhibition consists of 503 photographs by 273 artists from 68 countries. The images are displayed as unframed prints of varying sizes, mounted on minimalist structures. The layout is thematic rather than chronological, utilizing a modernist "3D magazine" style where photos are suspended from ceilings, mounted on curved walls, or positioned on floor stands to create an immersive narrative environment.

Location & Access Logistics

The exhibition is located in the west wing of Clervaux Castle, L-9712 Clervaux.

Access: Entry is via the castle courtyard. An elevator provides access to all floors of the exhibition.

Public Transport: A 10-minute walk from the Clervaux train station (CFL Line 10).

Admission: Tickets are required; the museum is typically open Wednesday through Sunday, 12:00–18:00.

Historical & Philosophical Origin

Edward Steichen, a Luxembourg-born American photographer, designed the exhibition as a manifesto for peace and fundamental human equality in the aftermath of World War II and at the height of the Cold War. It traveled globally to 37 countries, seen by over 9 million people, before the US government donated the final original traveling version to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 1964.

Key Highlights & Themes

Thematic Sections: The photos are grouped into universal human experiences: birth, love, joy, war, famine, and death.

Famous Contributors: Includes works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Robert Capa, August Sander, and Ansel Adams.

The UN Room: The final section of the exhibition, emphasizing global cooperation and the future.

Steichen’s Vision: The exhibition concludes with a focus on the commonality of the human "family," regardless of race or culture.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum underwent a total restoration in 2013 to stabilize the original gelatin silver prints.

Audio Guides: Available in multiple languages, providing context on specific photographers and Steichen's curation process.

Bookshop: Located at the entrance, offering the famous exhibition catalog (one of the best-selling photography books of all time).

Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible via an internal lift.

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays: To appreciate the quiet, contemplative atmosphere intended by the curator.

Summer: Clervaux hosts the "Cité de l'Image," an open-air photographic display throughout the town that complements the museum visit.

Facts & Legends

The exhibition is the only one of its kind to be granted UNESCO status, recognizing it not just as art, but as a historical document of humanistic philosophy. Steichen spent three years reviewing over 2 million images to select the final 503. The Clervaux installation is the only surviving original version of the exhibition in the world.

Nearby Landmarks

Museum of the Battle of the Bulge – Located in the opposite wing of the castle.

Museum of Models of Luxembourg Castles – Located within the castle complex.

Saint Maurice Abbey – 0.8km North.

Clervaux Town Center – Immediately below the castle.