How did Anthony van Dyck’s painting technique change during his later Antwerp period?

During his later period in Antwerp (1627–1632), Anthony van Dyck’s painting technique became increasingly economical and refined. His approach shifted in the following ways:1

• Application of Paint: He began applying pigments more thinly, utilizing delicate combinations of blue, gray, pink, ochre, and sienna.1
• Tone and Color: The overall emphasis moved toward a sense of mellowness in both color and tone.1
• Aesthetic Quality: While he maintained a sensuous appeal in his rendering of textures like silk, hair, and skin, his works became increasingly cool and artificial in character.1
• Compositional Style: In his portraits, he developed a new predilection for rhetorical poses, often depicting figures with agile hands as if they were addressing an audience, which aligned with the prevailing Baroque taste.1

This period reflected a realization that his talents were better suited to themes of tender emotion—such as the Virgin as an affectionate mother or saints in religious transport—rather than scenes of violent action.1