Darkest Academia (also known as Gothic Academia) is a subgenre of academia that is darker than usual, both visually and in nature. It encompasses the Academia aesthetic (classic literature, the pursuit of self-discovery, and a general passion for knowledge and learning), but with more serious and mature themes (unlike Romantic Academia). It takes what Dark Academia is about and turns it up to 11, incorporating gothic studies, literature, poetry, arts, architecture, music, and general Gothic related topics. It is related to finding beauty within the darkest places.
Visual
Some common visuals of Darkest Academia include cobblestone alleyways, study nooks shrouded in shadows, spiraling thunderstorm clouds atop ancient libraries, and a scowling face among a desolate study room.
Much like Dark Academia, the Darkest Academia aesthetic can visually be depicted in a sophisticated setting albeit with a more somber and highly prestigious twist. A darkest academic can be found in a "Thinker Pose" over a collection of Edgar Allan Poe's poems paired with black coffee.
However, if your personal life does not visually match up to this aesthetic, that is entirely okay (your life does not have to be completely DA to be considered a Darkest Academic). Aesthetic communities should make the individual feel comfortable and accepted regardless of lifestyle, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. A Darkest Academic should inherently be focused on the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of oneself. The visual aesthetics are just an add-on.
Some examples of visual inspiration include dark libraries, reading in the evening, old books, solitude, night skies, dark nights on storms, rain clouds, and thunder. These are basic ideas that you could branch off of.
Fashion
- Brown tweed jackets
- Dress shoes
- Scarves
- Black dress pants
- Black turtlenecks
Written
Many popular works within Darkest Academia generally have a dark, gothic atmosphere to them. Some of the influential writers are:
- Anne Rice
- Ann Radcliffe
- Bram Stoker
- Carson McCullers
- Charlaine Harris
- Cormac McCarthy
- Dorothy Allison
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Eudora Welty
- Harry Crews
- Horace Walpole
- Matthew Gregory Lewis
- Mary Shelley
- Toni Morrison
- Truman Capote
- William Faulkner
Music
Darkest academia music is typically calm and soothing. It is usually relaxed jazz or classical piano. Since it is Darkest Academia, the sound and feel of the music would be a bit emotional. For example, a piece called "Notre Dame, Notre Potrimoine" by Leon Noel. It is a classical piano piece that has a darker tone. Darkest Academia is not entirely, but for the most part, filled with somber music. A jazzy example would be, "A Little Death" by The Neighbourhood. A popular artist associated with this aesthetic and similar ones is Hozier.
Playlists
Spotify
- dark academia murder mystery Spotify playlist by Mer🔪
- Darkest Academia Spotify playlist by allie_akerley
- losing touch Spotify playlist by bellue
- DARKEST ACADEMIA Spotify playlist by wolfandlion
- to teach the darkness Spotify playlist by ianragan47
- Darkest Academia 👌🏻 Spotify playlist by Emily
- Classical Dark Academia by Gaby Sena
