Before The Neverending Story: The Strange and Surreal Artwork of the Author’s Dad, Edgar Ende

Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor

Sep 16, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

If you grew up in the 80s, your favorite movie might be The NeverEnding Story… so long as you don't dwell too long on that heart-wrenching scene with Artax in the Swamp of Sadness. Beyond that moment, it's a quintessential 80s fantasy full of practical effects, colorful puppetry, and that unmistakable sense of magical adventure. If you were a big reader as a kid, you might have even picked up a copy of the book by Michael Ende, immersing yourself in the expansive world of Fantasia and the epic journey of Atreyu and Bastian.

What you might not know about Michael Ende is that his father, Edgar Ende, was a surrealist painter whose work explored dreamlike, often unsettling landscapes. Growing up surrounded by his father's intricate, fantastical art, Michael developed a vivid imagination that clearly influenced his writing. The worlds he crafted were not only magical but had plenty of moments of darkness. His father's influence is irrefutable; just as Edgar's paintings invited viewers to interpret hidden meanings, Michael's stories invited readers to think deeply and confront the more melancholy aspects of life and fantasy. Just a few scrolls away are some of my personal favorite works by Edgar Ende for your perusing pleasure!

01
Ikarus, 1955

via mutualart.com
02
The Burning Flag, 1934

via MutualArt
03
The Winter, 1938

via David Riley
I think about the painting above rather often. It seems like this woman is leading the swan, enticing it to follow her into this cold landscape.
04
Untitled

via MutualArt
05
The Origin of Singing, 1951

via MutualArt
06
The Nest/The Scream, 1965

via MutualArt
07
Under the Console, 1933

via MutualArt
08
The dancer on the ball, 1948

via MutualArt
09
The sick horse, 1963

via MutualArt
10
The relief on the rock (The Rock in the Sea), 1936

via MutualArt
11
"With the arrow," 1928/1935

via MutualArt
12
Untitled, 1951

via MutualArt
13
Night Watch

via MutualArt
14
The image of man, 1947

via MutualArt
15
The eagle, 1953

via MutualArt
16
The Bridge, 1936

via MutualArt
17
Cloth with swallow, 1946

via MutualArt
18
With the Birds (Floating Away), 1932

via MutualArt
19
The Captive Storm, 1965

via Medium
20
The Weeping Trees, 1954.

via @tinytreegallery
21
The Dark and the Light Angel, 1946

via rebelbomb
22
Angel roller, 1963

via Reddit
23
Untitled

via surreal.ism.o
24
The Encounter, 1933

via Gandalf's Gallery
25
The Christmas horse cracked open, 1948

via David Riley
26
Untitled, 1965

via David Riley
27
Dispute

via David Riley
28
The Storm, 1930

via David Riley
29
Unitled

via David Riley
30
The new Bucephalos, 1961

via David Riley
31
The Organ King

via David Riley
32
Self portrait, 1946

via David Riley