Renaissance Painting By Titian To Be Shown In D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Italian Renaissance painting rarely seen in the U.S. will be displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington to mark the start of Italy's presidency of the European Union.

The museum announced Wednesday that Titian's painting "Danae" will be on view July 1 through Nov. 2. It was painted in 1544 to 1545 as a depiction of erotic mythologies.

The "Danae" was looted by German troops for Nazi leader Hermann Goring during World War II and was found later in an Austrian salt mine. It was recovered by the U.S.-led "Monuments Men" in 1945 and was returned to the Italian government two years later.

The National Gallery has a significant collection of works by Titian, including 13 paintings.

The "Danae" was first exhibited in Washington in 1990.