Final answer:
The phrase "this is indeed Life itself!" uttered by a painter likely marks a pivotal moment in the story, reflecting a significant realization or turning point related to the theme of life and existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the painter cried out "this is indeed Life itself!", it signifies a moment of profound realization or revelation in the narrative. The surrounding context of this statement implies that something significant has occurred, typically related to a character's personal epiphany or a pivotal plot development.
Without an explicit mention of what precisely happens to his wife, the phrase likely illustrates the culmination of a story arc where the painter's acknowledgment resonates with the thematic focus on life, existence, or possibly the tragic realization of some truth regarding his wife.
In literature, such exclamations at the climax of a story often accompany dramatic turns or the resolution of a conflict.