1830 Rijksmuseum erotic printing condoms – History

Rijksmuseum has obtained a rare condom from around 1830, which has erotic etching on its long sides. It is believed that thin material is made from the appendix of sheep and may give more encouragement with rib art than protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

The condom is decorated with a scene of a clear, unafraid nun, with her legs spreading her genitals, and enthusiastically returns to the grace to the three clergymen (from their costumes, I guess Franciscans, Dominicans and Jesuits). She pointed out that one of them was her choice of tryst. The title below declares “Voilà Mon Choix (this is my choice.). The museum assumes this may be a parody of the trial of Paris, when Prince Troy gave Aphrodite to Golden Apple, judging her most beautiful in a match between her, Athena and Hera. Aphrodite secured her victory by offering him the most beautiful woman in the world, Sparta’s wife Helen, as his award, so the choice of Paris ended up triggering the Trojan War.

(I don’t know why the AP article brought Renoir’s paintings into this story, as it was created nearly 100 years after this condom, while the Rijksmuseum expert refers to the myth itself, rather than a specific description of it.

Condoms have an ancient history – a kind of oil-soaked linen was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun (circa 1350 B.C.) – but after 1500 years, when syphilis was spread across vast areas, it became popular. They can be made of flax, fish bladder or sheep intestines and have several ribbons attached to the open end to tie them to them. They are sold in barber shops, taverns and brothels and are expensive. Until the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839, condoms were mainly in the upper class province, and they even bought a condom and reused it over and over again. Examples of erotic etching are believed to be sold in brothels as novelty and souvenirs.

The condom was auctioned by Rijkspretenkabinet six months ago, thanks to support from the FG Waller Fund. The Rijkspretenkabinet series includes approximately 750,000 prints, drawings and photos. In addition to the works on paper, prints of other materials were collected. The Rijksmuseum series has not been printed on the condom yet.

I’m sure. I think they are hard to get.