An 1830 condom, recently acquired by the Rijksmuseum, features explicit imagery and serves as a rare artifact from the era of 19th-century prostitution. Museum officials celebrate the public's response to this unique item, shedding light on historical perspectives of sexuality and health.
Nearly 200-Year-Old Condom on Display at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
Nearly 200-Year-Old Condom on Display at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum showcases a remarkably preserved 1830 condom, highlighting themes of sexuality and social attitudes in 19th-century Europe.
An almost 200-year-old condom has taken center stage at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is being exhibited in "mint condition." Dated around 1830, the condom is crafted from a sheep's appendix and showcases a provocative print depicting a nun alongside three clergymen. Acquired at auction last year, this singular piece is part of a larger exhibition focused on 19th-century prostitution and sexuality, which also features prints, drawings, and photographs from that period.
Curator Joyce Zelen recounted the humorous moment when she and her colleague discovered the condom during the auction, noting that they were the only bidders for the overlooked piece. Upon gaining possession, the museum staff investigated the condom with UV light and confirmed its unused status. "It's in mint condition," Zelen affirmed, and since its display, the museum has seen an influx of visitors drawn by this unusual artifact.
Zelen posited that the condom likely served as a "luxury souvenir" from an upscale French brothel, and currently, only two similar artifacts are known to exist today. The museum articulates that this famous item encapsulates both the playful and serious aspects of sexual health during a time filled with anxieties about unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections like syphilis.
The condom’s imagery includes the explicit depiction of a nun provocatively positioned before the three clergymen, who are displaying the folds of their garments. Accompanying the illustration is the inscription "Voilà mon choix," translating to "There is my choice." This depiction has been interpreted as a comedic take on both celibacy and the Greek myth of the Judgment of Paris, where a prince famously chose the fairest goddess.
This printed condom is a distinct entry in the museum's extensive Print Room collection, which contains around 750,000 items. Zelen emphasized that this condom is a first for their collection and expressed openness to potentially loaning it to other institutions, albeit with the caveat of its delicate condition. The artifact will remain on display until the end of November, sparking conversations about historical views on sexuality and societal norms.
