Ancient erotic artifact, a 200-year-old condom adorned with an erotic engraving, showcased at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Title: Rijksmuseum's Unusual Exhibition: "Safe Sex?" Showcases a Naughty 19th-Century "Luxury Souvenir"
Got something a bit racy on your mind? Fear not, for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has got you covered! Their latest exhibition, "Safe Sex?," is an intriguing look into 19th-century sexual health and the world of sex work, featuring a unique artifact – a 200-year-old condom.
This ancient prophylactic, adorned with an erotic etching of a scantily-clad nun pointing at three erect clergymen, is the first contraceptive sheath to join the Rijksmuseum's art collection. As if that's not enough to get your juices flowing, the condom also bears the phrase "Voila, mon choix" ("There, that's my choice").
Originating from an upmarket brothel in France, believed to be in Paris, the "luxury souvenir" was purchased by the museum for €1,000 at an auction in Haarlem last November. But don't get any ideas – the condom, possible sheep intestine, is preserved as a historical relic, giving visitors a glimpse into the 19th-century's somewhat avant-garde approach to sexual health.
But fear not, for this isn't just titillation without substance. The exhibition explores the dual themes of pleasure and risk in sexual health during the 19th century, when contraceptive options were limited and sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis posed serious threats.
The condom's etching serves as an ambiguous commentary on the era, open to a multitude of interpretations. As curator Joyce Zelen noted, the image is inclusive – "any type of man could feel spoken to" – whether he is bald, thin, or slightly overweight.
Make sure to visit the Rijksmuseum before the end of November to take the plunge and see this condom of yore up close. It's not every day you get to see a bit of history that's as naughty as this!
Quick Facts
- The condom is a genuine artifact from around 1830, likely made from sheep’s appendix, and purchased for €1,000 at an auction in Haarlem.
- The condom is part of an exhibition titled "Safe Sex?," which explores themes of 19th-century sex work and sexual health.
- The Rijksmuseum acquired the condom as it unique and didn't have a category for contraceptives in its collection.
- The etching on the condom isinterpreted as both playful and serious,parodying classical themes and referencing the "Judgment of Paris."
Don't miss this opportunity to witness a piece of history that's as intriguing as it is peculiar. See you at the museum!
Delve deeper into the fashion-and-beauty and health-and-wellness aspects of the past by visiting the Rijksmuseum's exhibition "Safe Sex?" You'll gain insight into 19th-century sexual-health practices and the lifestyle of sex workers, illustrated by the display of a centuries-old, fashionably etched condom.
