Rachel Howard
British, b. 1969
684 Followers
Rachel Howard is known for her deeply expressive paintings of figures that seem to be made of shadows. Howard’s signature style is achieved by applying paint to canvas and allowing it to run downward, using a brush to form haunting images, both representational and abstract, amid the resulting striations and haze. Her preferred material is house paint; as it separates, it creates a layer of varnish that lends her works its seductive high gloss.
Auction Results
Past Auctions
69 results
Troncones, 2002
origami paper, oil and household gloss on canvas
88.9 x 102.0 cm
Oct 22, 2025 • Christie's
Troncones, 2002
origami paper, oil and household gloss on canvas
88.9 x 102.0 cm
Oct 22, 2025
Christie's
Post-War and Contemporary Art Online
Lot 813
Heaven and Hell
household gloss on canvas
335.9 x 213.7 cm
Aug 1, 2025 • Sotheby's
Heaven and Hell
household gloss on canvas
335.9 x 213.7 cm
Aug 1, 2025
Sotheby's
Contemporary Discoveries
Lot 78
Can't Breathe Without You
Unique ink drawing, on wove paper, taped to a mat board at the reverse sheet edges.
17 x 13 in. (43.2 x 33 cm)
Jun 24, 2025 • Phillips
Can't Breathe Without You
Unique ink drawing, on wove paper, taped to a mat board at the reverse sheet edges.
17 x 13 in. (43.2 x 33 cm)
Jun 24, 2025
Phillips • New York
Editions & Works on Paper
Lot 205
Contralto, 2003
household gloss on canvas
274.3 x 183.0 cm
Mar 12, 2025 • Christie's
Contralto, 2003
household gloss on canvas
274.3 x 183.0 cm
Mar 12, 2025
Christie's
Post-War and Contemporary Art Online
Lot 95
Kit, 2019
ink on paper
35.6 x 27.9 cm
Mar 12, 2025 • Christie's
Kit, 2019
ink on paper
35.6 x 27.9 cm
Mar 12, 2025
Christie's
Post-War and Contemporary Art Online
Lot 96
Broken Grid System, 2017
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.4 x 91.7 cm
Oct 15, 2024 • Christie's
Broken Grid System, 2017
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.4 x 91.7 cm
Oct 15, 2024
Christie's
Post-War and Contemporary Art Online
Lot 85
Sleepless WW, 2021
oil on linen
61.2 x 51.0 cm
Oct 15, 2024 • Christie's
Sleepless WW, 2021
oil on linen
61.2 x 51.0 cm
Oct 15, 2024
Christie's
Post-War and Contemporary Art Online
Lot 87
Sea of Trees, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.1 x 91.4 cm
Jun 26, 2024 • Sotheby's
Sea of Trees, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.1 x 91.4 cm
Jun 26, 2024
Sotheby's
Contemporary Day Auction, including the Ralph I. Goldenberg Collection
Lot 350
Standpoint, 2004
household gloss on canvas
274.5 x 182.5 cm
Jun 26, 2024 • Sotheby's
Standpoint, 2004
household gloss on canvas
274.5 x 182.5 cm
Jun 26, 2024
Sotheby's
Contemporary Day Auction, including the Ralph I. Goldenberg Collection
Lot 352
Untitled, 2006
Indian ink on paper
72.7 x 56.2 cm
Jun 13, 2024 • Sotheby's
Untitled, 2006
Indian ink on paper
72.7 x 56.2 cm
Jun 13, 2024
Sotheby's
A Life In Art: The Mallin Collection Part II
Lot 183
i. Suicide Drawing; ii. Suicide Drawing, 2006
Indian ink on paper
62.9 x 56.5 cm
Jun 13, 2024 • Sotheby's
i. Suicide Drawing; ii. Suicide Drawing, 2006
Indian ink on paper
62.9 x 56.5 cm
Jun 13, 2024
Sotheby's
A Life In Art: The Mallin Collection Part II
Lot 184
Study (Blue), 2002
household gloss paint on canvas
43.5 x 35.5 cm
Jun 13, 2024 • Sotheby's
Study (Blue), 2002
household gloss paint on canvas
43.5 x 35.5 cm
Jun 13, 2024
Sotheby's
A Life In Art: The Mallin Collection Part II
Lot 58
Vena Puncture, 2003
household gloss on canvas
244.0 x 244.0 cm
May 14, 2024 • Sotheby's
Vena Puncture, 2003
household gloss on canvas
244.0 x 244.0 cm
May 14, 2024
Sotheby's
Contemporary Day Auction
Lot 637
Interior (Collage), 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
274.3 x 198.1 cm
Mar 9, 2024 • Christie's
Interior (Collage), 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
274.3 x 198.1 cm
Mar 9, 2024
Christie's
Live Auction 22619
Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale
Lot 501
Deluge, 2014
oil on canvas
91.4 x 121.9 cm
Feb 23, 2024 • Sotheby's
Deluge, 2014
oil on canvas
91.4 x 121.9 cm
Feb 23, 2024
Sotheby's
Contemporary Discoveries
Lot 927
Viaduct, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
91.4 x 76.2 cm
Jul 18, 2023 • Christie's
Viaduct, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
91.4 x 76.2 cm
Jul 18, 2023
Christie's
First Open | Post-War & Contemporary Art
Lot 285
Folie à Trois (you did this to me); London Painting (Lambeth) Folie à Trois (you did this to me), 2011
each household gloss and acrylic on canvas stretched over board
22.9 x 33.0 cm
Jul 18, 2023 • Christie's
Folie à Trois (you did this to me); London Painting (Lambeth) Folie à Trois (you did this to me), 2011
each household gloss and acrylic on canvas stretched over board
22.9 x 33.0 cm
Jul 18, 2023
Christie's
First Open | Post-War & Contemporary Art
Lot 286
Ely, 2004
gloss on canvas
336 x 213 cm (132 1/4 x 83 7/8 in.)
Jul 13, 2023 • Phillips
Ely, 2004
gloss on canvas
336 x 213 cm (132 1/4 x 83 7/8 in.)
Jul 13, 2023
Phillips • London
New Now
Lot 154
Fecund, 2001
household gloss on canvas
212.7 x 212.7 cm
Jun 14, 2023 • Sotheby's
Fecund, 2001
household gloss on canvas
212.7 x 212.7 cm
Jun 14, 2023
Sotheby's
A Life in Art: The Mallin Collection
Lot 35
i. Red Wine Drawing 3; ii. Red Wine Drawing 4; iii. Red Wine Drawing 6, 2002
red wine on paper
41.3 x 28.9 cm
Jun 14, 2023 • Sotheby's
i. Red Wine Drawing 3; ii. Red Wine Drawing 4; iii. Red Wine Drawing 6, 2002
red wine on paper
41.3 x 28.9 cm
Jun 14, 2023
Sotheby's
A Life in Art: The Mallin Collection
Lot 55
Viaduct, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
91.4 x 76.2 cm
Mar 10, 2023 • Christie's
Viaduct, 2013
oil and acrylic on canvas
91.4 x 76.2 cm
Mar 10, 2023
Christie's
Live Auction 21759
Post-War to Present
Lot 282
Invitation to a Beheading (Paintings of Violence), 2015
oil on canvas, wood and towels, in two parts
191 x 61 x 34.3 cm
Feb 23, 2023 • Sotheby's
Invitation to a Beheading (Paintings of Violence), 2015
oil on canvas, wood and towels, in two parts
191 x 61 x 34.3 cm
Feb 23, 2023
Sotheby's • New York
A Life in Art: Sculpture from the Mallin Collection Part II
Lot 173
Invitation to a Beheading (Paintings of Violence), 2015
oil on canvas, wood and towels
190.5 x 61.0 x 34.3 cm
Feb 3, 2023 • Sotheby's
Invitation to a Beheading (Paintings of Violence), 2015
oil on canvas, wood and towels
190.5 x 61.0 x 34.3 cm
Feb 3, 2023
Sotheby's
A Life in Art: Sculpture from the Mallin Collection Part II
Lot 173
Consuela, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 152.4 cm
Jan 19, 2023 • Sotheby's
Consuela, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 152.4 cm
Jan 19, 2023
Sotheby's
Contemporary Discoveries
Lot 34
Heaven and Hell, 2004
household gloss on canvas
335.9 x 213.7 cm
Oct 15, 2022 • Sotheby's
Heaven and Hell, 2004
household gloss on canvas
335.9 x 213.7 cm
Oct 15, 2022
Sotheby's
Contemporary Day Auction
Lot 227
Deluge, 2014
oil on canvas
91.4 x 121.9 cm
Jul 8, 2022 • Sotheby's
Deluge, 2014
oil on canvas
91.4 x 121.9 cm
Jul 8, 2022
Sotheby's
Contemporary Discoveries
Lot 190
BROKEN STRUCTURE THEORY, 2016
household gloss on canvas
78.7 x 94.6 cm
Sep 25, 2020 • Sotheby's
BROKEN STRUCTURE THEORY, 2016
household gloss on canvas
78.7 x 94.6 cm
Sep 25, 2020
Sotheby's
Contemporary Art
Lot 639
RACHEL HOWARD | BLACK DOG (HEADLESS)
household gloss on canvas
31 by 44 cm.
12¼ by 17⅜ in.
Aug 20, 2020 • Sotheby's
RACHEL HOWARD | BLACK DOG (HEADLESS)
household gloss on canvas
31 by 44 cm.
12¼ by 17⅜ in.
Aug 20, 2020
Sotheby's • London
Contemporary Art | London
Lot 52
BLACK DOG (HEADLESS), 2007
oil and acrylic on canvas
31 x 44 cm
Aug 13, 2020 • Sotheby's
BLACK DOG (HEADLESS), 2007
oil and acrylic on canvas
31 x 44 cm
Aug 13, 2020
Sotheby's
Contemporary Art | London
Lot 52
BROKEN GRID GREEN, 2017
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.2 x 91.4 cm
Oct 4, 2019 • Sotheby's
BROKEN GRID GREEN, 2017
oil and acrylic on canvas
76.2 x 91.4 cm
Oct 4, 2019
Sotheby's • London
Contemporary Art Day Auction
Lot 127
THEOPHORIC, 2003
household gloss on canvas
274.5 x 183.0 cm
Oct 2, 2019 • Sotheby's
THEOPHORIC, 2003
household gloss on canvas
274.5 x 183.0 cm
Oct 2, 2019
Sotheby's
Contemporary Art Online | New York
Lot 553
UNTITLED, 2009
works on paper
41.5 x 38.5 cm
Aug 13, 2019 • Sotheby's
UNTITLED, 2009
works on paper
41.5 x 38.5 cm
Aug 13, 2019
Sotheby's • London
Contemporary Art Online | London
Lot 36
VENA PUNCTURE
household gloss on canvas
244 x 244 cm
Jul 18, 2019 • Sotheby's
VENA PUNCTURE
household gloss on canvas
244 x 244 cm
Jul 18, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online | New York
Lot 215
RACHEL HOWARD | SELF PORTRAIT
ink on paper
16⅜ by 11¾ in. (41.5 by 9 cm.)
17¾ by 13⅛ in. (35 by 33 cm.)
Jul 18, 2019 • Sotheby's
RACHEL HOWARD | SELF PORTRAIT
ink on paper
16⅜ by 11¾ in. (41.5 by 9 cm.)
17¾ by 13⅛ in. (35 by 33 cm.)
Jul 18, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online | New York
Lot 225
RACHEL HOWARD | INSIDE OUT NO. 3
chromogenic print
54 by 36¼ in. (137.1 by 92 cm.)
65½ by 48 in. (166.3 by 122 cm.)
Jul 18, 2019 • Sotheby's
RACHEL HOWARD | INSIDE OUT NO. 3
chromogenic print
54 by 36¼ in. (137.1 by 92 cm.)
65½ by 48 in. (166.3 by 122 cm.)
Jul 18, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online | New York
Lot 222
INSIDE OUT NO. 3, 2003
photographs
137.1 x 92 cm
Jul 10, 2019 • Sotheby's
INSIDE OUT NO. 3, 2003
photographs
137.1 x 92 cm
Jul 10, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online
Lot 222
SELF PORTRAIT, 2004
works on paper
41.5 x 9 cm
Jul 10, 2019 • Sotheby's
SELF PORTRAIT, 2004
works on paper
41.5 x 9 cm
Jul 10, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online
Lot 225
VENA PUNCTURE, 2004
paintings
244 x 244 cm
Jul 10, 2019 • Sotheby's
VENA PUNCTURE, 2004
paintings
244 x 244 cm
Jul 10, 2019
Sotheby's • New York
Contemporary Art Online
Lot 215
Red Painting, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
290.2 x 190.8cm
Mar 14, 2019 • Christie's
Red Painting, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
290.2 x 190.8cm
Mar 14, 2019
Christie's • London
The George Michael Collection Evening Auction
Lot 24
Consuela, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 152.4cm
Mar 8, 2019 • Christie's
Consuela, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 152.4cm
Mar 8, 2019
Christie's • London
The George Michael Collection Online Auction
Lot 119
Mother (fear of fear), 2011-2012
oil, household gloss and acrylic on canvas
167.6 x 167.6 cm (65 7/8 x 65 7/8 in.)
Dec 6, 2018 • Phillips
Mother (fear of fear), 2011-2012
oil, household gloss and acrylic on canvas
167.6 x 167.6 cm (65 7/8 x 65 7/8 in.)
Dec 6, 2018
Phillips • London
New Now
Lot 27
LUST
household gloss on canvas
304.8 by 213.4 cm
Oct 6, 2018 • Sotheby's
LUST
household gloss on canvas
304.8 by 213.4 cm
Oct 6, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 127
CAN'T BREATHE WITHOUT YOU
signed and titled; signed and dated ' '04' on the backing board
59.2 by 46.7 cm
Sep 21, 2018 • Sotheby's
CAN'T BREATHE WITHOUT YOU
signed and titled; signed and dated ' '04' on the backing board
59.2 by 46.7 cm
Sep 21, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 211
UNTITLED (INSIDE OUT SERIES)
signed and dated ' 2002' on the backing board
51.5 by 41.5 cm
Sep 21, 2018 • Sotheby's
UNTITLED (INSIDE OUT SERIES)
signed and dated ' 2002' on the backing board
51.5 by 41.5 cm
Sep 21, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 249
WHITE AND BLACK, 2003
paintings
30.5 x 30.5 cm
Sep 20, 2018 • Sotheby's
WHITE AND BLACK, 2003
paintings
30.5 x 30.5 cm
Sep 20, 2018
Sotheby's • London
Yellow Ball: The Frank and Lorna Dunphy Collection
Lot 78
PRIDE
household gloss on canvas
304.8 by 213.4 cm
Sep 20, 2018 • Sotheby's
PRIDE
household gloss on canvas
304.8 by 213.4 cm
Sep 20, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 56
END TWO
household gloss on canvas
182.9 by 182.9 cm
Sep 20, 2018 • Sotheby's
END TWO
household gloss on canvas
182.9 by 182.9 cm
Sep 20, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 61
Black Dog, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
31 x 43.5 cm
Sep 12, 2018 • Christie's
Black Dog, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
31 x 43.5 cm
Sep 12, 2018
Christie's • Online
First Open Online
Lot 146
Black Dog, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
31 x 43.5cm
Sep 12, 2018 • Christie's
Black Dog, 2007
household gloss and acrylic on canvas
31 x 43.5cm
Sep 12, 2018
Christie's • London
First Open Online
Lot 146
MAMMON
enamel on canvas
228.3 by 137.5 cm
Jun 27, 2018 • Sotheby's
MAMMON
enamel on canvas
228.3 by 137.5 cm
Jun 27, 2018
Sotheby's
Lot 236
