Thomas Hoving

Thomas Hoving
Name	Thomas Hoving
Birth date	15 January 1931
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death date	10 December 2009
Death place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Education	Princeton University (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.)
Occupation	Museum director, curator, author
Known for	Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1967–1977)
Spouse	Nancy Bell

Thomas Hoving was an influential and often controversial American museum director, curator, and author, best known for his transformative decade-long leadership of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. A charismatic and ambitious figure, he dramatically expanded the museum's collections, physical footprint, and public profile through blockbuster exhibitions and high-profile acquisitions, while also generating significant debate over the ethics of the art market and museum practices. His later career as a writer and media commentator cemented his reputation as a provocative and central figure in the world of 20th-century art and museology.

Early life and education

Born into a prominent family in New York City, his father was Walter Hoving, the longtime chairman of the luxury department store Tiffany & Co.. He attended the Eaglebrook School and later Hotchkiss School before enrolling at Princeton University. At Princeton, he earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in art history, studying under renowned scholars like Erwin Panofsky. His doctoral dissertation focused on the 12th-century Bury St. Edmunds Cross, an early indication of his lifelong fascination with medieval art. Following his education, he served for two years as a Marine officer.

Career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Hoving joined the staff of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1959 as a curatorial assistant in the Medieval Department and The Cloisters. His talent and drive were quickly recognized, and by 1965 he was appointed the museum's Park Commissioner of New York City Parks by Mayor John Lindsay, a role in which he gained a reputation for energetic and populist programming. He returned to the Metropolitan Museum in 1966 as a special assistant to Director James Rorimer, positioning himself as a successor.

Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1967, following Rorimer's death, he was named director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position. His tenure, lasting until 1977, was defined by aggressive expansion and modernization. He oversaw the construction of major new wings, including the Robert Lehman Wing, the Sackler Wing which houses the Temple of Dendur, and the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. He championed blockbuster exhibitions like 1978's "Treasures of Tutankhamun" and initiated popular public programs, fundamentally shifting the museum's identity toward being a dynamic, crowd-pleasing institution.

Controversies and acquisitions

His directorship was marked by both spectacular acquisitions and persistent controversies. He secured masterpieces such as Juan de Pareja by Diego Velázquez and the ancient Greek Euphronios Krater, the latter becoming the center of a major scandal over its illicit provenance. His aggressive pursuit of artworks often involved secretive negotiations and high-stakes bidding, clashing with more conservative trustees and drawing criticism from the archaeological community and figures like Thomas Hoving. These activities fueled ongoing debates about cultural patrimony and the role of encyclopedic museums.

Later career and writings

After leaving the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he became an editor for the magazine *Connoisseur* and a prolific author. He wrote several bestselling books, including the memoir *Making the Mummies Dance* and the novel *Masterpiece*, which drew on his insider knowledge of the art world. He also served as an on-air arts correspondent for the television show *ABC News* and contributed to publications like *Art & Antiques*, establishing himself as a sharp and often critical commentator on museum and market practices.

Personal life and death

In 1958, he married Nancy Bell, a ballet dancer and teacher. The couple had one daughter, Petra. Known for his flamboyant personality and tireless energy, he remained a prominent and outspoken figure in the arts until his death from cancer in New York City in 2009. His papers are held in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, documenting his impactful and contentious career.

Category:American museum directors Category:Metropolitan Museum of Art people Category:1931 births Category:2009 deaths