Sri Lanka, Painting the temple, Mausoleum Gate, Photo transfer to hot painted canvas

I took this photo in Sri hot Lanka in December 2009.
As we walked around the outside of the temple buildings we hadn't realised that the Stupa was being painted, when we passed the doorway we saw the painter, who looked amazing against the white background, his sarong, paint pot and pop bottle all shared the same shade of orangy/red.
Once I printed the picture it just seemed to belong on an orange canvas. I transferred it, which diluted the colour but gives the effect of a vintage painting and enhances the age of the building.
The acrylic varnish is not too glossy adding to the idea of a painting ? or a photo?