New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art director Philippe de Montebello (Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY January 09, 2008 —Philippe de Montebello, spent thirty years as the head of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He announced late yesterday that he was leaving his position as the museum's director. Under his reign, the number of visitors expanded to 4.6 million last year, making it the city’s most popular tourist destination.

The museum's endowment doubled, its collection expanded, and major galleries were renovated. Richard Hake spoke with art critic Lee Rosenbaum about how he did it and what de Montebello's legacy will be.

Lee Rosenbaum's blog