Philippe de Montebello

Philippe de Montebello. He is a French-American art historian and museum director renowned for his transformative 31-year tenure leading the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His directorship, one of the longest in the history of major American cultural institutions, was marked by significant physical expansion, a dramatic increase in the museum's collections, and a steadfast commitment to connoisseurship. Following his retirement from the Met, he has remained a prominent voice in the art world through teaching, broadcasting, and advisory roles.

Early life and education

Born in Paris to a distinguished aristocratic family, he is a descendant of the French military commander Marshal de Montebello. He moved to the United States as a youth and became a naturalized citizen. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude in 1958 with a degree in art history. For his graduate work, he attended the New York University Institute of Fine Arts, where he studied under renowned scholars like Walter Friedlaender and earned a master's degree. His early professional training included a curatorial internship in the Department of European Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

He joined the staff of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1963 as a curatorial assistant in the Department of European Paintings. He quickly ascended through the ranks, becoming an associate curator. In 1969, he was appointed director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where he oversaw notable acquisitions and exhibitions. He returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1974 as a vice director for curatorial and educational affairs, serving under then-director Thomas Hoving. During this period, he played a key role in major projects, including the planning for the new American Wing and the acquisition of the monumental ancient Egyptian statue of Hatshepsut.

Directorship and legacy

He was named director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1977. His tenure was defined by ambitious architectural projects, including the completion of the American Wing, the construction of the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing for modern art, and the renovation of the Greek and Roman Galleries. He presided over a period of extraordinary acquisitions, such as Duccio's *Madonna and Child*, Jacques-Louis David's *Death of Socrates*, and the Annunciation triptych by the Master of Flémalle. He also championed major international exhibitions, including *The Treasures of Tutankhamun* and *The Glory of Byzantium*. His leadership philosophy emphasized the primacy of the art object and scholarly rigor, positioning the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a preeminent global institution.

Post-Met career and later life

Upon his retirement from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2008, he was named the first Fiske Kimball Professor in the History and Culture of Museums at his alma mater, the New York University Institute of Fine Arts. He has served as a special advisor to the Hispanic Society of America and the Museo del Prado. From 2011 to 2022, he was the co-host of the weekly radio program *The Gist with Philippe de Montebello* on WNYC. He also served on the board of directors for AXA Art Insurance and the Global Heritage Fund, and has been a frequent lecturer and panelist on issues of cultural patrimony and museum ethics.

Honors and recognition

His contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour and an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In the United States, he received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2005. He holds several honorary doctorates from institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the American Philosophical Society. The directorship of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was endowed in his name in 2012.

Category:American museum directors Category:French art historians Category:Metropolitan Museum of Art people