Adam de Coster (c. 1586–1643) was a Flemish Baroque painter working under the influence of Caravaggism. Originally from Mechelen, he is listed in Antwerp's guild of St. Luke as a master in 1607–1608. Although there is no information regarding a trip to Italy, his early adoption of the strong chiaroscuro and use of half-length figures illuminated by "candlelight" suggests that he might have made this journey. De Coster's paintings show a certain affinity with those of Georges de la Tour and other French variations of the style. More direct influences, however, are Gerard Honthorst and Antonio Campi. In Anthony van Dyck's Iconography (1626), he is identified as Pictor Noctium (Painter of Nights).
References
Benedict Nicolson, "Candlelight Pictures from the South Netherlands," in The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 108, No. 758. (May, 1966), pp. 252-256.
Benedict Nicolson, "Notes on Adam de Coster," in The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 103, No. 698. (May, 1961), pp. 185-186+188-189.
Hans Vlieghe (1998). Flemish art and architecture, 1585-1700. Pelican history of art. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300070381
