Where do I stand? Image issues.

[BustedBreaks]

State: MD

So I made this banner:
www.glowfoto.com/static_image/08-184559L/5356/png/07/2010/img5/glowfoto

from this image:

catholicsensibility.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/galileo.jpg

and I wanted to know if I have to worry about any copyright issues if I intend to use the image I made on for-profit items and my website. If the original image is in the public domain, I'm pretty sure I'm fine, but I can't figure out what the title of the original image is or who owns it. If it's not in the public domain, I'm not sure where I stand.

Can someone help me?

Thanks!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[FlyingRon]

What makes you think the image is in the public domain?
I suspect highly that it is copyright by someone. The fact you don't know who doesn't give you authority to steal it. You quite well could have copyright issues.

 

[BustedBreaks]

What makes you think the image is in the public domain?
I suspect highly that it is copyright by someone. The fact you don't know who doesn't give you authority to steal it. You quite well could have copyright issues.

Well I suspect it's a an old painting, in which case, the likeness may be in the public domain, also, I've seen other modifications of it used for other purposes.

If it is in the public domain, I shouldn't have any issues right?

If it's not, my version is considered infringement?

 

[FlyingRon]

It doesn't look like an "old painting" to me. It looks like a quite modern rendering. Just because the subject is old doesn't mean the picture is old.
If it's in the public domain you can use it.
As I said, it looks to me like it was definitely NOT.
Unless you can find some provenance that trades it back to a painting made before 1929 or so, you'll have to assume it is NOT public domain.