The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has opened an exciting new show. It contains a 200-year-old condom, thought to be made from a sheep’s appendix. Acquired for €1,000 (£840) at an auction in Haarlem last November, this rare artifact is thought to have originated from an upscale brothel in Paris, France, around 1830. The condom, which was about 20 centimeters long, has since become the focal point of the museum’s new small exhibition “Safe [Sex].”
This piece of history makes clear just how far contraceptives have come. Today, it’s used as a stark reminder of societal attitudes towards sex in the 19th century. The provocative etching on the condom shows a partially undressed nun pointing at the erect genitals of three nuns. Couple that imagery with the caption Voila, mon choix, or There, voila!
Before vulcanized rubber was invented in 1839, people made condoms out of fabrics including linen, or animal membranes, or even turtle shells. These prototypes were nothing remotely like what we are familiar with now! The Rijksmuseum’s acquisition marks the first time a contraceptive sheath has been added to its art collection, further emphasizing its significance as a “luxury souvenir” from that era.
Joyce Zelen explained what we think is the origin and history of the condom. I was especially struck by her impression of its probable owner’s sophistication.
“So we believe that whoever acquired the condom would have been fairly sophisticated and well-educated,” – Joyce Zelen.
When the condom was tested with ultraviolet light, forensic experts began to believe that it had not been used at all.
“We looked at it with UV light and suspect it was never actually used,” – Joyce Zelen.
The etching raises intriguing questions as well. Zelen wrote about the confusion over the nun’s blessing.
“It’s also unclear whether the nun in the etching is pointing at the bald man, the thin man, or the one who looks slightly overweight,” – Joyce Zelen.
The exhibition documents the story of this amazing artifact. It includes a remarkable collection of Dutch and French prints and drawings that explore topics related to sex work and sexual health. Visitors will find the condom exhibited alongside masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. This dramatic juxtaposition makes for an intoxicating mix of artistry and social history.