Description: The Dance of Death - From Modern illustration, by Joseph Pennell, London 1895

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Consider these esteemed gentlemen as they ponder the nature of mortality.

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Consider these esteemed gentlemen as they ponder the nature of mortality.

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula I Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. Is he expounding on the nature of mortality?

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula I Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. Is he expounding on the nature of mortality?

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula II Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. Is he pondering his own mortality?

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula II Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. Is he pondering on his own mortality?

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula III Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. I call him the Weeping Skeleton. Is he bereft from contemplating his own mortality?

Description: Published in 1543, Andreas Vesalius's 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica' was a groundbreaking book on anatomy. Tabula III Libra I is a classic image from the Fabrica. I call him the Weeping Skeleton. Is he bereft from contemplating his own mortality?

Description: 1733, Osteographia or The Anatomy of Bones. William Cheselden was a surgeon and anatomist, whose illustrations were the first full and accurate description of the anatomy of the human skeletal system.

Description: 1733, Osteographia or The Anatomy of Bones. William Cheselden was a surgeon and anatomist, whose illustrations were the first full and accurate description of the anatomy of the human skeletal system.

Description: A creature of myth and legend, the Irish Deer was the largest of its species.

Description: A creature of myth and legend, the Irish Deer was the largest of its species.

Description: From the Royal Natural History archive, the skull of the Babirusa.

Description: From the Royal Natural History archive, the skull of the Babirusa.

Description: 1854, London, Natural History illustration by Charles Knight

Description: 1854, London, Natural History illustration by Charles Knight

Description: By Georges Cuvier, French naturalist and zoologist, sometimes referred to as the "father of paleontology".

Description: By Georges Cuvier, French naturalist and zoologist, sometimes referred to as the "father of paleontology".