Final answer:
The original information was likely stored in Dan's sensory memory, which is a brief storage system for sensory events. However, he had trouble recalling the details, indicating that the information didn't transfer to his short-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information provided, the original information that Dan saw in the painting was likely stored in his sensory memory. Sensory memory is a brief storage system for sensory events like sights, sounds, and tastes. It holds information for only a few seconds before it is either discarded or moved into short-term memory. In this case, Dan had trouble recalling the details of the painting, suggesting that the information did not successfully transfer from sensory memory to his short-term memory.