Met To Fete Departing Director With Showcase

The Metropolitan Museum of Art plans an exhibition showcasing some of the works of art that were acquired during Philippe de Montebello's 31 years as director of the venerable New York City institution.

The museum says 300 of the works — out of 84,000 that were added during Mr. de Montebello's tenure — will be featured in an exhibition organized in tribute to the retiring director.

Curators in the museum's 17 curatorial departments chose the works, focusing on those with the biggest impact on the Met's collections.

The installation, titled "The Philippe de Montebello Years: Curators Celebrate Three Decades of Acquisitions," will go on view October 24 and run through February 1, 2009.

Mr. de Montebello is the museum's eighth and longest-serving director. He is scheduled to retire at the end of the year.