He had been asked to reflect on what was then a quarter century as director of the Metropolitan Museum. I m much less imperious now. I know pretty much what I m doing. That s one virtue. Others came to mind with the announcement on Tuesday unsurprising but still sad that Mr. Montebello will retire by the end of the year. de Montebello s legacy which was never about celebrity architecture or fashion or political correctness. The new galleries were among his gifts to the city. We love knocking big shots off their pedestals and Mr. de Montebello made a ripe target occasionally. But the Met he leaves behind is a marvel. He did relax it s true a little anyway. That landed him in hot water naturally. Critics particularly from the Planet Academe liked to complain that he and the Met were too imperious. His authority based on years of success proved indispensable with the Italians his authority not imperiousness. Pragmatism became his modus operandi in negoti! ations. He is arrogant on the outside but reasonable behind closed doors often deferring to curators with more expertise. de Montebello who in fact became the museum s C. endured his social obligations with resignation. He s surprisingly awkward private by inclination. Announcing his retirement the Met has produced a hagiographic press statement noting the rise in attendance . But attendance is a dispiriting measure of success. Any old Monet show will inflate the numbers without necessarily adding to the sum total of human understanding. A new window will open with a dictionary definition or encyclopedia entry.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/arts/design/09kimm.html?em&ex=1200027600&en=0ce6af50d6c6613f&ei=5087%0A
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