Gary Tinterow, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, sits down with Philippe de Montebello, esteemed curator, professor and former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to discuss de Montebello's storied career in the world of fine arts.

"Conversations with the Director" is a series of talks with Tinterow, who engages an eclectic roster of guests in one-on-one conversations about the arts.

The longest-serving director in the Met's extensive 140-year history, de Montebello oversaw a 31-year period of significant growth at the Met, including the acquisition of significant works of art, numerous acclaimed international loan exhibitions, and the reinstallation of permanent collections in new and refurbished galleries.

Before moving to New York, de Montebello was director of the MFAH from 1969 to 1974. Now serving as the first Fiske Kimball Professor at NYU's Institute of Fine Arts, de Montebello returns to Houston to discuss his recently released book, Rendez-Vous with Art, which provides a fascinating view into how, and why, we look at art.

A book signing follows the discussion.