Why did Spanish painters know many of Anthony van Dyck’s religious works through engravings?

Spanish painters were familiar with the religious works of Anthony van Dyck primarily through engravings because these prints served as a vital medium for disseminating his compositions across Europe. While van Dyck was a celebrated Flemish painter, the wide circulation of his imagery via reproductive prints allowed artists in Spain to study, imitate, and occasionally copy his religious subjects even without direct access to the original paintings.1

This reliance on engravings was part of a broader trend in the 17th century, where printmaking played a crucial role in the international exchange of artistic styles and motifs. By utilizing these engravings, Spanish painters were able to incorporate elements of van Dyck’s Baroque style into their own work, ensuring his influence remained pervasive and lasting throughout the region.231