The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has acquired a condom dating back to approximately 1830 as the centerpiece of its new exhibition, “Safe Sex?” The exhibition explores the connections between prostitution, medicine, and morality during the 19th century.

The condom, believed to be crafted from a section of sheep intestine, features an image of a nun displaying herself before three aroused clergymen. The French phrase “Voila, mon choix,” meaning “This is what I have to choose from,” accompanies the image.

Curator Joyce Zelen explained that the condom was purchased for €1,000 at an auction in Haarlem. She noted that this was a favorable price, as condoms with illustrations have commanded considerably higher prices in recent years.

The “Safe Sex?” exhibition incorporates drawings, photographs, and etchings depicting themes of pleasure, brothel visits, and the stigma and anxieties associated with sexually transmitted diseases. The condom, displayed within a protective glass case, serves as a focal point for examining the sexual history of the 19th century.

Zelen emphasized the dual significance of the condom as both an artifact and a historical document, enabling a deeper understanding of 19th-century sexual practices and attitudes. The “Safe Sex?” exhibition is scheduled to run until November 30.