What do you see?

We are told that on one occasion the great Italian artist, Michelangelo, was spending a quiet evening with some friends over a bottle of wine, and that the conversation turned, as it often does, to the faults and failings of absent friends.The personality of each was closely analysed; and none emerged from the scrutiny completely unscathed.As the evening wore on, the group noticed that Michelangelo was quiet and not joining the fun.

They turned to the great artist and asked why. "I'm thinking of a painting," Michelangelo explained. At this, the friends' interest was roused: they knew a painting from Michelangelo would be great indeed and asked him what it was. The artist offered to paint it for them there and then.He covered a canvas with white paint and in the middle painted a small black circle, filling it with black paint."What do you see?"asked Michelangelo.
The friends looked puzzled. "We can see a black spot," they replied.
Michelangelo paused for a moment. "I thought you would see that," he said. "What I see is a large area of white."