A 200-Year-Old Condom with Erotic Art Is on Display—And It’s More Than Just a Gimmick
This image made available by the Rijksmueum shows a condom with print, circa 1830, displayed at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. (Kelly Schenk/Rijksmuseum via AP)
Greetings Warriors
You ever come across something so wild, so unexpected, that it stops you dead in your tracks?
Well, let me introduce you to a piece of art that’s exactly that—a nearly 200-year-old condom... decorated with erotic imagery, on full public display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Yeah. You read that right.
In a world where we’re constantly debating what counts as art and what crosses the line, this little piece of history comes swinging in from the 1830s with a wink, a nod, and a scandalous past.
Rijksmueum shows a condom with print, circa 1830, which has gone on display at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. (Kelly Schenk/Rijksmuseum via AP)
A Museum Like No Other
Dataland is the brainchild of Turkish-American media artist Refik Anadol, a pioneer who’s been pushing the boundaries of machine-generated visuals. At over 20,000 square feet, this space is being designed as more than a museum—it’s an immersive AI dreamworld.
Imagine walking through digital hallucinations. Walls alive with generative visuals. Data transforming into color, movement, and sound. Every corner built not by human brushstrokes, but by learning algorithms.
Unlike traditional museums curated by taste, Dataland is curated by code. It’s a bold move—some say dangerous, others call it divine. But regardless, it’s a reflection of where the art world is undeniably headed.
Get two custom AI Art created by yours "King Romulus" truly every month. Uniquely crafted, with expressive quotes that dive deep into my subconsciousness. One of the art pieces will be posted on my Instagram account as well. Live through art history in the making!
Where Art Meets the Red Light District
Titled “Safe Sex?”, the Rijksmuseum’s new exhibition dives deep into the intersection of sex work, intimacy, and public health in 19th-century Netherlands. But it’s not just a dry academic exploration—it’s raw, it’s real, and yes, it’s even cheeky.
The centerpiece? A condom made from a sheep’s appendix, believed to date back to around 1830. But what makes it stand out is the erotic art etched onto its surface—a playful depiction of a nun and three clergymen caught in a moment that would make the church blush.
This isn’t just an ancient artifact—it’s a mirror into the blurred lines between morality and pleasure.
Erotic Art as Social Commentary
Now here’s where it gets deeper.
The condom isn’t just some novelty relic. It’s a piece that walks the tightrope between humor and protest, eroticism and social critique. Emblazoned across the sheath are the words: “This is my choice”, written in French.
According to the museum, this phrase connects directly to Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting “The Judgment of Paris,” where the Trojan prince must decide between three goddesses. Only now, those deities have been reimagined as figures of forbidden desire.
It’s art that talks back. Art that dares to mix religion, sexuality, and autonomy in one object.
A Souvenir from the Shadows?
Theories suggest this condom may have once belonged to a client—or a worker—in one of Amsterdam’s infamous brothels. Possibly even purchased as a souvenir. Think about that for a second: a 19th-century man walking out of a brothel with an erotic condom as a keepsake.
Suddenly, history doesn’t seem so distant, does it?
This isn’t just about safe sex—it’s about how we’ve always used humor, symbolism, and art to navigate taboo topics. Even in an age where the word “condom” itself was whispered, artists and pleasure-seekers were already reclaiming the narrative.
Shameless plug 🤣 My own AI art for sale$$$
Safe Sex Before Latex
Before the invention of modern latex condoms, early versions were made from animal membranes—like this one, crafted from a sheep's appendix. They weren’t disposable like today’s brands. Nope—these were washed, reused, and sometimes decorated.
Let that sink in.
In an age before widespread antibiotics and sexual education, this object was more than a joke—it was protection, rebellion, and expression rolled into one.
And now it’s art.
The Serious Side of a Playful Object
What makes this exhibit so powerful is its duality. The Rijksmuseum isn’t just showcasing the absurdity—it’s shining light on the very real struggles around sexual health, freedom, and consent throughout history.
In their official statement, they said this object “depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health.” And it’s true. The very existence of this piece forces us to reckon with how long society has tried to silence pleasure while quietly commodifying it.
It’s a nod to the double standards that have existed for centuries—and still persist.
Linnea Moritz, La Visionnaire - Mors Artis
Amsterdam’s Legacy of Openness
Of course, it’s no accident this is all happening in Amsterdam—a city known for both its artistic depth and its unapologetic honesty around sexuality.
From the Red Light District to Rembrandt, from erotic carvings on ancient buildings to progressive laws, the Netherlands has always danced to its own rhythm when it comes to self-expression.
This exhibit is simply the latest in a long line of works that challenge the viewer to confront their own discomfort—and maybe laugh a little, too.
Art That Makes You Think—and Blush
Whether you see this as a crude joke or a brilliant commentary, one thing is certain: it makes you feel something.
That, in my book, is the very definition of art.
Art should provoke. It should awaken that inner tension between curiosity and discomfort. It should force questions like:
Why does this make me uneasy?
What does this say about human nature?
How far have we really come?
And most importantly—why are we still afraid to talk about sex, power, and art in the same breath?
Final Thoughts: What the Warrior Sees
Warriors, this isn’t just about a 200-year-old condom. It’s about how truth always finds a way to survive, even in the strangest of forms.
It’s a reminder that no matter the era, people have found ways to rebel, to express, and to inject humor into the heaviest of topics. And that art—real art—isn’t just confined to galleries and marble. Sometimes it lives in a sheep’s intestine, scrawled with satire, hidden behind closed doors for centuries.
So if you’re lucky enough to be in Amsterdam before November, make your way to the Rijksmuseum. Go stand in front of this strange little relic. Let it challenge you. Let it amuse you. Let it remind you that history is messy, erotic, defiant—and always worth telling.
Until next time, stay wild, stay bold, and never be afraid to stare controversy in the face.
