Though Philippe de Montebello, 71, has made his intention to remain in his job as director of the Metropolitan Museum abundantly clear (even boasting to author Danny Danziger that “I’m the institution to a level I’m not sure is healthy; the institution and I have totally merged”), the art world buzzes nonetheless with speculation about who will succeed him. The latest candidate touted for the job-unopening was Timothy Potts, director of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, until his abrupt resignation a few days ago. But Potts isn’t heading to 1000 Fifth Ave. —at least not yet. Instead, he’s going to the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, says Fort Worth’s Star-Telegram. And despite reports that he’s shaky on a pair of new knees, the 1936 model year de Montebello remains road-worthy. Page Six notes that he’s giving a commencement address at today’s commencement ceremonies at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. It’s a good weekend for him to get out of Dodge, what with yesterday’s revelation that the Met Store bans books, and today’s reminder in the Times that the Met is home to many antiquities that “come from clandestine digs,” according to Daniela Rizzo, an archaeologist from the Villa Giulia Museum in Rome, testifying (see fifth item on page) in the ongoing illicit looting trial there.
UPDATE: Speaking of the trial in Rome, The Paramus Post has an interview with the co-author The Medici Conspiracy, which will be published in paperback next week.