Victorian Condom: Erotic Art & Naughty Nun Exhibit
The Rijksmuseum unveils a shocking artifact: a Victorian condom from 1830, lavishly decorated with erotic art. This remarkable find, crafted from a sheep’s appendix, is the centerpiece of the “Safe Sex?” exhibition. News Directory 3 reports on this unusual item, wich features a provocative image of a nun and clergymen, offering a glimpse into 19th-century sexuality and prostitution. Explore how this ancient item reflects the era’s attitudes toward pleasure and the urgent need for safe sex. Discover the condom’s inscription – “This is my choice” – and uncover insights into the risks of sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, particularly in that era. Wonder what other hidden treasures the museum will unearth?
Rijksmuseum Exhibits 200-Year-Old Condom Featuring Erotic Art
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is showcasing a unique artifact that blends art and Amsterdam’s Red light District: a nearly 200-year-old condom adorned with erotic art. The museum announced the playful prophylactic, thought to be crafted around 1830 from a sheep’s appendix, highlights both the lighthearted and serious aspects of sexual health.
The condom is part of the “Safe Sex?” exhibition, which opened Tuesday and delves into 19th-century sex work. The museum suggests the condom may have been a souvenir from a brothel, noting its decoration with an erotic image depicting a nun and three clergymen. The phrase “This is my choice” is inscribed in French along the sheath, referencing Pierre-Auguste renoir’s “The Judgment of Paris.”
The Rijksmuseum emphasized the importance of the acquisition for its collection. “Acquiring the condom has enabled us to focus on 19th-century sexuality and prostitution, a subject that is underrepresented in our collection,” the museum stated on its website. “It embodies both the lighter and darker sides of sexual health, in an era when the quest for sensual pleasure was fraught with fears of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases — especially syphilis.”
The museum acquired the piece of sexually-themed art history at an auction approximately six months ago, with support from the F.G. Waller-Fonds. The exhibition of this unique artifact, exploring themes of safe sex and historical perspectives on sexuality, is scheduled to run untill the end of November.
What’s next
The Rijksmuseum plans to continue exploring underrepresented aspects of history through future acquisitions and exhibitions, further enriching its collection and sparking dialog about notable social issues.