366Art | Leonard Cohen

Today is the birthday of Leonard Cohen, singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist, known for his deep voice, lyrical poetry, and philosophical themes. His work spans more than five decades, and he has had a significant influence on both music and literature worldwide. The adaptation above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendars/reference works below, are made by me, Frieke.

Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, into a Jewish family in Westmount, Montreal, Canada. He came from a wealthy family, and his father passed away when Leonard was nine years old. Cohen developed an early interest in literature and began writing poetry during his teenage years. He studied English at McGill University, where he published his first collection of poems, Let Us Compare Mythologies, in 1956.

In the 1950s and 1960s, he primarily focused on writing, producing not only poetry but also novels. His first novel, The Favourite Game (1963), is semi-autobiographical. In 1967, Cohen moved to New York and began making music alongside his writing. His debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), features iconic songs such as Suzanne - Sisters of Mercy and So Long, Marianne.His music is characterized by a restrained, melancholic style, with simple arrangements and deep, introspective lyrics. He explored themes such as religion, sexuality, love, and loss.

Cohen always had a strong interest in spirituality, which was evident in his work. Although he was Jewish, he was deeply influenced by Buddhism. In the 1990s, he withdrew to a Zen monastery in California, where he spent years as a monk under the name Jikan. This period of silence and contemplation influenced both his work and his personality, though he never abandoned the Jewish faith.

Cohen returned to music in the early 2000s. His financial situation forced him to start touring again after his former manager embezzled nearly all his savings. Despite his advanced age, he gave legendary concerts that were praised worldwide. His later albums, such as Ten New Songs (2001), Old Ideas (2012), en You Want It Darker (2016), were seen as masterpieces, reflecting his deep wisdom and contemplation on life, death, and the human condition.

You Want It Darker, released shortly before his death, was regarded as a final farewell. The title track contains his reflections on mortality, and his voice sounds deep and powerful, despite his physical frailty. Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82 in Los Angeles, California. He was a complex and fascinating personality. His openness about his inner struggles and search for meaning made him a highly respected artist.

Cohen is often listed among the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century. His songs, such as Bird on the Wire (1969) Famous Blue Raincoat (1971), Hallelujah (1984), Dance Me to the End of Love (1984), First We Take Manhattan (1988),  Tower of Song (1988), Everybody Knows (1988), Waiting for the Miracle (1992), Anthem (1992) remain timeless classics.

The book The Flame, published posthumously after Cohen’s death, contains his final poems, notes, and even illustrations. The book was compiled by his son Adam Cohen and offers an intimate glimpse into Cohen's final years and his reflections on life, love, and mortality.