The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is now displaying a rare condom dating from around 1830, notable for its erotic etching and unique historical significance.
Likely crafted from a sheep’s appendix, this nearly 200-year-old contraceptive features an illustration depicting a nun seated with her legs apart in front of three clergymen, who are shown lifting their robes. The French inscription “Voilà mon choix” (“This is my choice”) accompanies the image, offering a satirical take on both celibacy and the Judgement of Paris from Greek mythology.
Believed to have been a souvenir from a brothel, this artifact is one of only two known to have survived to the present day. Its acquisition allows the Rijksmuseum to shed light on the often underrepresented themes of nineteenth-century sexuality and prostitution.
The condom is now the centerpiece of the “Safe Sex?” exhibition, which explores the lighter and darker aspects of sexual health in a time when fears of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis were widespread.
The exhibition also provides visitors with a broader context of social attitudes toward sexuality and contraception in the nineteenth century, featuring related prints, drawings, and photographs from the museum’s collection.
By presenting these rare and sometimes provocative objects, the Rijksmuseum encourages an open discussion about the history of sexual health and the evolution of societal norms, making the exhibition both educational and thought-provoking.
Read more: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/
Source: Rijksmuseum
