Perhaps the signature image from "The Family of Man" exhibition, which was organized by Edward Steichen, then director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, in 1955. The picture appeared on the cover of MoMA's book, and was used extensively in magazines and newspapers across the country, including Ziff Davis's own "Popular Photography."
This pioneering exhibition offered infinitely diverse images of human beings living in the 1950s, emphatically reminding viewers that they all belonged to the same big family. Now regarded as the 'greatest photographic enterprise ever undertaken,' the exhibition consisted of 503 photographs taken by 273 photographers, both professional and amateur, famous and unknown, from 68 countries. A huge undertaking, with unique cultural and artistic dimensions, "The Family of Man" stirred public interest in photography and its tremendous ability to communicate.
Common biographical error: It is often stated Eurgene V. Harris died with Werner Bischof in a car accident in Peru on 16th May 1854 but this is incorrect. According to the mining company's report of 25th May 1954 the people in the car were Ali de Szepessy-Schaurek, Luis Delgado and A. W. Bischof. (pers. email, Paul Stachelek, 1 February 2014)
