(Malmö, Sweden 1616 – Copenhagen, Denmark 1680)
Danish doctor of anatomy

Son of anatomist Caspar Bartholin, Thomas Bartholin left for his medical pilgrimage in 1640, traveling first to France then onto Italy. Once in Padua Bartholin stayed until 1643. On November 3, 1641, he matriculated in Padua and participated as an acting council member of the Germanic nation.   Bartholin also held the office of mayor and vice-rector of the artist university.

Beginning his career in anatomy, Bartholin performed his first dissections with Johann Georg Wirsung.  In December 1652, Bartholin published the first full description of the human lymphatic system. Bartholin is considered one of the founders of the Danish medical school.  A man of vast culture, he taught at the University of Copenhagen and was doctor of King Cristiano V.

Thomas Bartholin

Thomas Bartholin

The restoration of the Thomas Bartholin canvas has been supported by Ordine provinciale dei Medici Chirurghi e degli Odonotoiatri di Treviso