Raider of the lost art?

Todays moral dilemma...                           

Upcycler extrodinaire or indiana jones style pillager of the past?

Back in the day, artists used male models for female subjects. I think this Big Bertha of a model might have been of this persuasion. Nice dainty hands on swarthy man arms! The facial features are superbly and confidently rendered, but even that doesn't save this from being a clunky and disturbing painting.  I'll have to eat my words when it turns out to be a copy of a famous work or a long lost masterpiece! 

Now that I've rubbished this so wholeheartedly, I wonder if you'll be more receptive to my next idea... to use this painting as either a model for my upcycled jewellery [isn't that ear just waiting to be pierced with a dangly heirloom of the future?] or [shocking, I know] I'd *paint*over*it*. Whispers. Because its got the most fabulous crackled texture. Its wholly holey [not holy]. With subtle neutral oils or chalk paint, some carefully applied butterfly wings or antique jewel remnants, maybe even a bit of subtle pattern painted on, chinoiserie style, it could be breathtaking, modern, magical. 

The vendor at Banana Warehouse here in York wants £150. Back down to earth with a bang. I'd have paid £30. Its niggling away at me though. I'll keep my eyes open for something similar, and maybe even think up a way of creating a modern equivalent. Unless anyone reading this has an unwanted artwork in a dusty corner of their attic in need of a major makeover?