Death: A Self-portrait – in pictures

Linda Connor, Skeleton, Shrine, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1980 Photograph: Wellcome Images/Linda Connor

Otto Dix, Shock Troops Advance Under Gas, from the series Der Krieg (The War), 1924 Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Francisco Goya, Tampoco, from Desastres de la Guerra (The Disasters of War), 1810-1814 Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Albert Besnard, Lequel?, from the series Elle, 1900 Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Dana Salvo, from the series The Day, the Night and the Dead, 1990-2004 Photograph: Wellcome Images/Clark Galleryes

Dana Salvo, from the series The Day, the Night and the Dead Photograph: Wellcome Images/Clark Gallery / Wellcome Library, London

Rembrandt, Death Appearing to a Couple, 1639 Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

Tibetan carved wooden mask, 19th century Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Walter Sauer, Dance of Death Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Mors Ultima Linea Rerum (Death the Final Boundary of Things), c1570
Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris CollectionDeath: Wellcome Collection

James Ensor, My Portrait in 1960, 1888 Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

The Skull Series (number 8 of 12), Mondongo Collective Photograph: Wellcome Images/Mondongo Collective

Ancient Incan skull, 16th century Photograph: Wellcome Images/The Richard Harris Collection

Adriaen Van Utrecht, Vanitas Still Life with Bouquet and Skull, 1642 Photograph: s/The Richard Harris Collection / Wellcome Library, London

Barthel Bruyn the Elder, A Skull in a Niche, c1535-55 Photograph: The Richard Harris Collection / Wellcome Library, London

Unknown artist, memento mori, late 18th century Photograph: The Richard Harris Collection / Wellcome Library, London