THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands’ national museum has a new object on display that merges art with Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District: a nearly 200-year-old condom, emblazoned with erotic art.
The Rijksmuseum said in a statement that the playful prophylactic, believed to be made around 1830 from a sheep’s appendix, “depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health.”
It is part of an exhibition called “Safe Sex?” about 19th century sex work that opened on Tuesday.
The condom, possibly a souvenir from a brothel, is decorated with an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen.
The phrase “This is my choice” is written along the sheath in French. According to the museum, this is a reference to a story from Greek mythology in which the Trojan prince Paris judges a beauty contest among three goddesses, and which has been depicted in numerous artworks.
The condom is on display until the end of November.
Written by Molly Quell, The Associated Press
Correction
In a story published Jun. 3, 2025, about a 200-year-old condom, The Associated Press reported that a phrase etched on the condom was a reference to the Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting "The Judgment of Paris," based on a statement from the Rijksmuseum. Renoir painted the work after the condom was made. The museum later said the phrase referred to the general story of the judgment of Paris, in which the Trojan prince Paris judges a beauty contest among three goddesses.
