Module 7: Edward Steichen

The Family Of Man

An photographic exhibit of diverse people showing that we all are part the same family was first shown at the New York's Museum of Art in 1955 by Edward Steichen while he was the Director of the Department of Photography. 503 photographs by 273 photographers around the world make up the displays.

I stumbled upon him while researching Herbert Bayer. I found a picture by Bayer "The Nation of Nations" and it mentioned "The Family of Man" so I had to find out what that was. What a Journey! Steichen is credited with starting modern fashion photography in 1911 in the magazine "Art et Decoration"with his fashion photography. See my other post on his work in this area.

In the book "Graphic Design History,"on page 221 there was an ad with a photograph by him and it stated that he was known for his luxury imagery. The exhibit that he curated "The Family of Man" surely shows that he valued the common existence more in 1955 than the luxury and the glamor of the 1930's. Of course during that time, no one wanted to be reminded of the Great Depression while they were in the midst of it. Below are some photos of the exhibit. A really good description and summary is found at
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=23246&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.

STOLLER, Erza, Family of Man,New York, MoMA, 1955, ELDERFIELD, John, ed. The Museum of Modern Art at Mid-Century, At Home and Abroad, New York, MoMA, 1994.
http://phomul.canalblog.com/archives/p400-10.html

STOLLER, Erza

STOLLER, Erza

SEKULLA, Allan, Family of Man, New York, MoMA, 1955, Photography Against The Grain, Nova Scotia, the press of NSCAD, 1984.

Family of Man, STOLLER Erza’s photography of the Entrance into the Exhibition of. RUDOLPH Paul, architect, A Life in Photography, New York, Doubleday, 1963

Family of Man, STOLLER Erza’s photography of the Entrance into the Exhibition of. RUDOLPH Paul, architect, A Life in Photography, New York, Doubleday, 1963.

This exhibit is on permanent display in the city of Steichen's birth, Clervaux, Luxembourg at his request.
http://www.family-of-man.public.lu/concept-exposition/index.html