The Netherlands' national museum has a new object on display: a 200-year-old condom, emblazoned with erotic art depicting a partially undressed nun pointing at the erect genitals of three clergymen.
The 19th-century “luxury souvenir”, bought for €1,000 at an auction in Haarlem last November, is the first contraceptive sheath to be added to the Rijksmuseum’s art collection. It goes on display this week as part of an exhibition called “Safe Sex?” about 19th century sex work.
Presumed to be made out of a sheep’s appendix circa 1830 (vulcanised rubber was invented nine years later to make them safer and more widely available), the ancient prophylactic reportedly comes from an upmarket brothel in France - most likely in Paris.
As well as the phallus-indicating sister of Christ, the condom features the phrase “Voila, mon choix” (“There, that’s my choice”).
So, a nun judging a cock-off? Almost...
The Rijksmuseum said in a statement that the playful item “depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health” and that the French etching is a reference to the Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting “The Judgment of Paris,” which depicts the Trojan prince Paris judging a beauty contest between three goddesses.
Visitors of the Rijksmuseum have until end of the November to take the plunge and see the condom of yore in the “Safe Sex?” exhibition.
