The Grim Darkness of The Far Future – A look into the aesthetic of Warhammer 40k

“In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only War.”

The aesthetic of Warhammer 40k is one of the most distinctive and enduring in science fiction, blending gothic, baroque, and dystopian themes with militaristic and religious iconography. This aesthetic, defined by towering cathedrals, brutalist armor, and grotesque, war-ravaged landscapes, has influenced numerous media properties and remains a cornerstone of science fiction and tabletop gaming. The designs and themes became so popular from the series, that many credit Warhammer for creating the Grimdark Aesthetic that is now so common in science fiction.

As I will continually reference the Gothic movement, I feel it best to define the movement before analyzing the setting of Warhammer. Gothic Architecture is best known for its pointed arches, spires, ornate carvings, and an emphasis on the verticality of the design. In Robert Branner’s book Gothic Architecture(Banner, R. 1961), he has this to say about the movement:

“Gothic was the final expression of the medieval world, of the concepts of a mystical cosmos and a transcendental universal religion” (Banner 1961)

Lets take a look at a couple images that showcase this gothic architecture.

The image on the top showcases distinct gothic features, such as the curved arches, high spires, and the overall grandiosity of the design. One aspect that remains present in both gothic architecture, and the aesthetic of the grim darkness of the fortieth millennium is the feeling of insignificance that overwhelms you when looking upon such grand designs. In the second image, you’re able to see the imperial symbol, the two eagles, engraved all over the structure the imperial guards are using as cover. The symbols and skulls are more than just adding to the aesthetic of the building, rather an ever present reminder that the Imperium of Man is always watching. Through the use of extravagant designs and symbols of the imperium, the grim dark architecture is used as a show of force and power of the Imperium of Man.

As we see in the image above, the courtrooms of the Imperium also draw inspiration from gothic architecture. The room seen above is absolutely massive, a testament to the power and resources of the imperium. We also see a big focus of the setting as well, stonework and sculpting. Even from the point of view of this image, we’re still able to see the attention to detail in the spires and statues. Just like in the days of old, the Imperium likes to show off its wealth and power in any way possible, and here we are given a sense of scale to the Imperium through its use of statues and masonry.

The gothic themes are even reflected in the battle ships of the Imperium, which are essentially flying Cathedrals.

This is one of the most pivotal moments in the 40k lore. The figure on the left is Horus Lupercal, the dying man is Sanguinius, and the figure in gold is the Emperor of mankind himself. The painting depicts the moments before Horus fought the Emperor at the end of the Horus Heresy. The entire painting is a testament to the power of the imperium, and take special notice of their armor. The level of detail, the ornateness. Each piece of armor took decades to make and they look like it. The armor portrays the importance of the individuals wearing it, and inspires fear in their enemies.

These two images showcase the essence of Warhammer 40k. War. Horrors beyond human comprehension. Chaos Gods rising up and trying to strike down man. Both images give off the sense of horror and fear only found in the setting.

Works Cited

The Emperor Vs Horus, Adrian Smith 2004

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, Tindalos Interactive. 2019

Imperial Palace Richard Wright

artwork.40k.gallery/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gaunts-Ghosts.jpg

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/050/143/908/large/jaime-martinez-chaos-knights-cover-01.jpg?1654155668

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/007/949/340/large/bartek-fedyczak-nurgle-host.jpg?1509527865

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/058/872/951/large/jaime-martinez-jaime-martinez-dabanaworks-imperial-fists-cover-full-picture.jpg?1675159779