After the success of the group exhibitions Exchanging Interiors (1996), Roommates (1998), Home is where the heArt is (2000), Le Nouveau Siècle  (2006) and the solo presentations Façade (2001) by Jill Magid and Private Life (2004) by Alisa Margolis, Museum Van Loon presents Rachel Howard Invited by Philippa van Loon in 2008.

Philippa van Loon is the youngest scion of the Van Loon family, and the initiator of this biennial modern art manifestation hosted by the Museum. In her eyes, these modern art exhibitions are the ideal opportunity to connect the past and the present. She was inspired for the coming exhibition by the portraits that Rachel Howard makes of her family and friends, so reminiscent of the portraits of the Van Loon family members in the Museum collection. The house at the Keizersgracht 672 came into the possession of the family in the 19th century, and has been a museum since 1973.

The exhibition Rachel Howard Invited by Philippa van Loon features several portraits specially framed to emphasize the vulnerability of the image. It also includes other work of a more architectural nature, which use gravity as a means to influence the direction in which the paint runs. The paint almost seems to drip from the paintings; brush strokes or other manual touches have been made invisible. In addition, Rachel Howard will make several paintings specially for the Blue Salon.