John Peter Humphrey House was a British art historian and lecturer.
You may be looking for John C. House, American poet and novelist
John House was the doyen of historians of impressionism. Far from being lightweight or ingratiating, the impressionists were revealed in House's writings as sharp observers of social change; instead of being a self-contained movement, they were shown to be clever negotiators of artistic conventions and institutions. As well as playing an essential role in transforming the academic study of this period, House presided over the development of its public appreciation through the spectacular exhibitions that he curated.
Book was too light. When galleries (in this case the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC) present their collections, I enjoy a look at the piece's creation and acquistion history, but much of this book is taken up by simple descriptions of the paintings themselves, which is on odd choice....as why would I need to read, "The painting was created with swirling blues..." when I can just look at the reproduction? Presumably, if there are swirling blues, I'm a gonna see 'em.