Exploring 19th Century Sexuality: A Unique Condom on Display at the Rijksmuseum
At the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the national museum of the Netherlands, a rather unusual object is currently on display: a condom dating back to around 1830. This fascinating artifact is decorated with an image of a nun and three priests, all raising their garments in a gesture known as anasyrma, revealing their genitals. The museum suggests that this condom offers unique insights into the sexual culture and the operation of prostitution during the 19th century, embodying the themes of the exhibition titled 'Safe Sex,' which recently opened and will continue until November.
Measuring twenty centimeters in length, this condom is one of two similar specimens believed to be crafted from the appendix of a sheep, although definitive confirmation will require DNA testing. Joyce Zelen, the curator of prints at the Rijksmuseum, noted that this artifact has never been used. The museum speculates it may have originated from a luxury brothel in France, particularly given the French inscription below the design that reads 'Voilà mon choix,' meaning 'Here is my choice.' This phrase serves to mock the vow of chastity of the religious figures depicted and references the Judgment of Paris, a well-known episode from Greek mythology in which Paris must choose the most beautiful goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
In addition to its playful mockery, the condom also sheds light on the darker perceptions surrounding sexual health of the era and the complex interplay between prostitution, medicine, and morality. During this time, contraception was largely considered taboo. Although condoms similar to the one on display were still utilized, they provided minimal protection against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis. This landscape of sexual health would shift dramatically just a few years later with the invention of rubber vulcanization in 1839, leading to the widespread adoption of latex products about a century afterward.
This condom not only serves as a quirky historical artifact but also acts as a gateway to understanding the societal attitudes towards sexuality and health in the 19th century. By showcasing such objects, the Rijksmuseum allows us to reflect on how far we have come in terms of sexual health awareness and the continuing dialogues surrounding reproduction and morality.
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