On June 4, 2025, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum unveiled a unique 19th-century condom, printed with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen, as part of its Safe Sex? exhibit. The 19th-century condom exhibit, crafted from a sheep’s appendix and in mint condition, offers a glimpse into historical attitudes toward sexuality.
Measuring under eight inches, the condom, acquired for €1,000 at a Haarlem auction, features a copper-plate print parodying religious celibacy, with the phrase Voila mon choix and a nod to the Judgment of Paris.
200-year-old condom goes on display at Dutch museumhttps://t.co/xA5lbhiIGa pic.twitter.com/9a4xYoy10C
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 4, 2025According to The Guardian, Curator Joyce Zelen described it as a luxury brothel souvenir from 1830, not intended for use. Such condoms offered little protection against syphilis, a major 19th-century issue.
Zelen noted, per Smithsonian Magazine, that the explicit design, showing a nun flanked by aroused clergymen, reflects a satirical take on societal norms, likely appealing to wealthy, educated clients.
The 19th-century sheath features a satirical etching of three aroused clerics and a nun, and is thought to be a souvenir from a French brothel ⬇️ https://t.co/OWV7eeWiHD
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) June 4, 2025The condom, confirmed unused through UV testing, is showcased in the Rijksmuseum’s Print Room until November 2025. The Rijksmuseum’s Safe Sex exhibit contextualises historical sexual practices, drawing parallels to contemporary debates. Zelen’s lighthearted auction anecdote highlights the artefact’s uniqueness.
The 19th-century condom exhibit sheds light on historical views of sexuality, challenging societal taboos through the portrayal of clergymen in prints. By featuring this artefact, the Rijksmuseum’s Safe Sex? exhibit encourages conversations about 19th-century prostitution and public health, engaging global audiences with its unique mix of humour and history.
