The quote from Arturo Pérez-Reverte's book "Sabotage" reflects on the nature of painting as a dynamic and evolving process. It suggests that a painting undergoes a cycle of transformation, where it is continually shaped and reshaped by the artist's hand. This cyclical creation and destruction give the artwork its vitality, indicating that it possesses a kind of life as it develops. The artist's decisions influence this journey until they decide the piece is complete.

Moreover, the notion of a painting 'dying' when the artist considers it finished implies a deep connection between the creator and their work. Until that moment of finality, the painting exists in a state of flux, experiencing a metaphorical life. This perspective challenges the notion of art being static, emphasizing instead that art is a living entity, shaped by both the creative process and the artist’s intent, culminating in a work that embodies both struggle and resolution.