A 200-year-old condom with an erotic engraving of a nun and three priests is on display.

BarcelonaThe Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is exhibiting a condom dating from around 1830, probably made from a piece of sheep intestine. Interestingly, it also bears an erotic print depicting a nun and three clergymen. According to the museum, the garment offers insight into 19th-century sexuality and prostitution, as it could be a souvenir from a brothel. These contraceptives were allegedly purchased in brothels and barbershops. Only two examples survive. Latex condoms were not made until the mid-19th century, and until then, animal entrails were used. The museum performed an ultraviolet light analysis and believes this condom is unused.

The engraving plays on the scene from Greek mythology of the Judgment of Paris, in which the Trojan prince had to decide which goddess was more beautiful: Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite, whom he ultimately chose. On the condom, the nun appears seated with her legs spread in front of three clergymen, pointing at one with her finger. The men lift their cassocks and reveal their members. "The words Here is my choice (Here's my pick) make him a parody of both the Judgement of Paris in classical antiquity and celibacy," according to the Dutch museum.

The condom was acquired by the Rijksmuseum six months ago at auction for €1,000 and is now on display in a temporary exhibition. Safe sex?, which features prints, drawings, and photos related to prostitution and sexuality. "The condom provides an opportunity to highlight a topic rarely discussed in our collection. It represents both the playful and serious sides of sexual health. The pursuit of pleasure coexisted with the fear of sexually transmitted diseases, especially syphilis, and unwanted pregnancy," the museum explains to EFE.

The Rijksmuseum's print collection consists of some 750,000 prints, drawings, and photographs, works on paper, and prints on other materials. Until now, the museum had no prints on a condom.