Metropolitan Museum Head Receives Award

Philippe de Montebello, the French-born director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, received France's most prestigious award, the Legion of Honor medal, at a ceremony Sunday.

France's culture and media minister, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, called the director one of New York City's ''most eminent cultural figures'' at the French Consulate in New York. Jean-David Levitte, France's ambassador to the United States, also attended.

Vabres said Montebello's ''farsighted leadership'' and ''vigilant sense of stewardship'' were instrumental in the evolution of the museum, which under his leadership has nearly doubled in size to about two million square feet.

The Montebello, 70, is the longest-serving director in the institution's 137-year history. He has led the museum since 1977.

According to a transcript provided by the consulate, Vabres lauded the museum's reinstallation, renovation or expansion of various collections and the creation of new galleries, including ones for Eastern art.

Vabres also commended him on the numerous French art exhibitions and the expansion of international loan exhibition and educational programs.

''The effects of your programs have reverberated well beyond the Metropolitan, as they have set new standards for museums worldwide,'' Vabres said.

Montebello received the insignia of an officer of the Legion of Honor. He has also been awarded the American National Medal of Arts.

Other Americans to receive the medal of the Legion of Honor include I.M. Pei, Colin Powell and Norman Mailer. Fewer than 500 people living today have received the award, which was created by Napoleon in 1802.