The dog, the rabbit and the hoop all feature in the painting, and take the place of the orrery.

If you look closely you can see that they are all interconnected, symbolic of a never-ending circle in which it is simply impossible for the dog to catch the rabbit.

He was so tenacious he defied the distraction of women by refusing to have them in his presence, just as later in life he denied his blindness by calling for more and more candles.

The dog and the rabbit are telling us not to chase unattainable material goals.

Once upon a perfect night, unclouded and still, there came the face of a pale and beautiful lady. The tresses of her hair reached out to make the constellations, and the dewy vapours of her gown fell soft upon the land.

You see, my ambition was not to confound the engineering world but simply to create a beautiful piece of art.

The dog, the rabbit and the hoop all feature in the painting, and take the place of the orrery.