200-Year-Old Erotic Condom Joins Rijksmuseum’s Collection in a Bold Exhibition on Sexual Health
June 3, 2025
Amsterdam – In a rare and provocative move, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has added a 19th-century condom, believed to be made from a sheep’s appendix, to its prestigious art collection. The artifact is now on public display for the first time as the centerpiece of a new exhibition exploring sexuality, sex work, and sexual health in art history.
Dubbed a “luxury souvenir,” this unique contraceptive dates back to around 1830 and is believed to have originated in an upscale Parisian brothel. Far from being a utilitarian object, the condom doubles as a piece of erotic art. It features a detailed etching portraying a partially undressed nun interacting with three clergymen — a satirical and sensual scene referencing the classical Greek myth of the Judgment of Paris. The phrase inscribed, “Voila, mon choix” (translated as “There, that’s my choice”), adds another layer of irony and social commentary.
A Historic First for the Museum
According to Joyce Zelen, curator at the Rijksmuseum, this is the first time a condom has been formally added to the museum’s collection, which is renowned for its Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. The object was acquired at an auction in Haarlem in late 2024 for €1,000 and is now exhibited in a glass case under the title “Safe Sex?” — a temporary exhibition that juxtaposes historical taboos with modern reflections on intimacy and disease prevention.
“This condom represents much more than its function,” Zelen stated. “The sophistication of the etching suggests that it was owned by someone educated, perhaps someone familiar with mythology and satire. It’s both an artwork and a symbol of 19th-century attitudes toward sex, religion, and pleasure.”
Before Latex: Animal Membranes and Linen
Before the advent of vulcanized rubber in 1839 revolutionized contraceptive technology, condoms were crafted from various organic materials, including linen, animal intestines, and even turtle shells. While such devices were rudimentary and offered limited protection against diseases like syphilis or unwanted pregnancies, they were nonetheless discreetly marketed and sold — often through brothels, barbershops, and occasionally high-end tailors.
In the early 1800s, condoms were still heavily stigmatized, especially by religious institutions. Public conversation about their use was minimal, and purchasing one was often done under a veil of secrecy.
Erotic Advertising and Hidden Messages
What makes this artifact even more intriguing is its dual function as a promotional item. Measuring 20 centimeters in length, the condom appears to have been never used, based on a detailed UV light analysis. Its decorative and suggestive design may have been aimed at flattering potential customers — a marketing tactic not unlike those used in modern advertising.
“There’s also ambiguity in the image,” Zelen added. “We can’t definitively say which of the three clergymen the nun is pointing at — the bald one, the thin one, or the overweight one. That intentional vagueness was likely designed so that any man could feel targeted and flattered.”
Breaking Taboos with Art
The “Safe Sex?” exhibition brings together rare Dutch and French prints and drawings that examine the intersection of art, erotica, and health. By displaying this condom among classical art, the museum is confronting centuries-old taboos and inviting critical discussions about how sexuality has been perceived, policed, and portrayed through time.
This bold curatorial choice reflects a growing trend in the art world to expand definitions of what constitutes art and heritage. It also underscores how personal objects — even ones as intimate as a condom — can offer profound insight into cultural norms and social commentary.