Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections at the Racine Art Museum. I’ve witnessed Philippe de Montebello trying to weave his magic on a potential major donor to his Metropolitan Museum of New York. Philippe’s pitch, smooth and seductive, had a well rehearsed air to it. Across an antique dining room table in New Jersey, with works by Miró, de Chirico and Edvard Munch adorning the walls, he glided through a presentation that had obviously worked so effectively for him with countless other donors. Although the man’s skills were impressive, the hosts this evening didn’t sign over the…