Easy as pie?

Six children have gathered on a rock and are engaged in different challenging activities. Among other things, they are drawing and carving; at the very top, a boy is studying the starry sky with a telescope.
The sculptor Johann Peter Melchior does not imply that young children should practise all these sciences and arts. Rather, he is emphasizing the eternal importance of skill and knowledge for all times: but the fact that a person should start as early as possible does not contradict this.

The entire group represents an allegory of the sciences and arts, which are best represented in their practice.

Porcelain sculptures like this one are cast from molds and can be reproduced again and again. However, our piece is absolutely unique - if there were other examples at the time, they have not survived.