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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Black Death

The best horror stories are real. A flea sinks its proboscis into the skin of a sick black rat, feeds on its blood, and ingests lethally multiplying bacteria.

More information on The Black Death

Selected images

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Robert Hooke's drawing of a flea in Micrographia, 1665
Robert Hooke's drawing of a flea in Micrographia, 1665
Yersinia pestis bacteria in an infected flea
Yersinia pestis bacteria in an infected flea
Black Death At Tournai, 1349
Black Death At Tournai, 1349
Danse Macabre, 17th century Bernardine painter, Father Franciszek Lekszycki
Danse Macabre, 17th century Bernardine painter, Father Franciszek Lekszycki
The plague of Florence in 1348. Etching by L. Sabatelli
The plague of Florence in 1348. Etching by L. Sabatelli
Triumphus Mortis, or the Allegory of Death. Engraving by Georg Pencz
Triumphus Mortis, or the Allegory of Death. Engraving by Georg Pencz
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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The National Portrait Gallery building at night
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© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency