The Virgin Mary' is no longer a resident of Bishop's Lodge. As much as sculptor Byllee Lang's central figure for the Anglican Cathedral's reredos was loved by the Anglican Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray, and his family, it was realised that she should not remain there. Happily, however, the plaster model was not simply evicted, but has been given a new lease on life - at City Hall, no less. Today, the serene figure can be admired in the controlled climate of the Bermuda National Gallery, where she has become a proud member of its permanent collection.

The milk-white statue apparently led a nomadic existence after it left the late Miss Lang's studio. The story of how it came to reside Bishop Ratteray's home begins at a National Trust auction where he saw and admired it, but pondered where he would put it. It so happened that the successful bidder was a member of the Cathedral congregation, but the Bishop never forgot the statue. When, much later, he learned that the owner was leaving the Island and holding a house sale, he contacted her.

"I said I would like to buy her - the statue, that is - and she agreed, but then she gave me my money back with the proviso that it would be put into the Cathedral roof fund," Bishop Ratteray says.

The Anglican cleric's original vision was to place `The Virgin Mary' in his garden, but when he realised its composition would not withstand the elements, she was instead placed in the entrance hall. There the gracious figure was much admired by everyone, and particularly by Bishop and Mrs. Ratteray's granddaughter, seven-year-old Michaela Ratteray, who lives next door.

"She took a great shine to her and came over every day to see and touch her, and say `Good Morning'," her grandfather says.

Today, a slight discolouration of the plaster and a fine crack where the hands were mended are telltale evidence of the child's artistic appreciation.

While `The Virgin Mary' was in residence, Bishop Ratteray pondered what more he might do with her, such as bronzing, but after consultation with Mr. Andrew Trimingham (himself a model for a reredos figure), it was decided that, in the interests of preservation, she should be moved to a temperature controlled environment. Thus it was that Bishop and Mrs. Ratteray donated the statue to the Bermuda National Gallery, where it is now making its debut as part of the current `The Ideal Collection' exhibition.

The move was not without sadness, however.

"There were many tears I'm afraid," Bishop Ratteray said of Michaela's reaction, "but I told her the statue was going to be placed in a place she could visit. She knows where it is."

Meanwhile, curator David Mitchell said the National Gallery was "delighted" with the Bishop and Mrs. Ratteray's generous donation.

"Byllee Lang was very important to Bermuda art. She taught and threw her studio open to any and everyone, regardless of race. We have several pieces of hers in the Gallery already, and it is lovely to add one of the pieces from the reredos of the Cathedral to them," he said. "We are delighted that Bishop and Mrs. Ratteray have chosen to donate this piece to our permanent collection."