The Carnegie Museum of Art is wrestling with a problem of mythic proportions: how to exhibit a “very big” stage curtain created bySalvador Dali for a production of Labyrinth by the Ballets Russe deMonte Carlo in 1942 and unearthed from storage last month.

The canvas curtain was a gift to the museum in 1976 and has never been on exhibition, Ellen James,assistant director of marketing, told ARTINFO. Theseus and theMinotaur, which measures 318 inches tall and 593 inches wide, wasdesigned for a production in Pittsburgh as part of a traveling show.

The museum on Dec. 28 removed the black oil on canvas curtainfrom storage for evaluation of condition, said James. It was laid outon the floor of the museum’s Hall of Sculpture for inspection andphotography.

“We had the curtain out for only a brief time on Monday (Dec. 28),maybe only six hours, to access its condition (which looks good) andfor photography,” she told ARTINFO. “This was the first time any of ushad seen the art work but everybody, staff and visitors were veryexcited by it. It is a very impressive work of art and very big. It isso big that we are trying to figure out how it could go on view sincemay of our galleries are too small. But we are considering options onhow to exhibit the curtain.

Theseus and the Minotaur, signed by Dali’s wife, Gala, whoassisted him with projects, depicts the legendary founder-king ofAthens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, battlingthe Minotaur with a sword. According to Greek mythology, Theseuseventually overpowered the Minotaur and slit its throat.