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

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

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02
The Burning Flag, 1934

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03
The Winter, 1938

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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

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05
The Origin of Singing, 1951

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06
The Nest/The Scream, 1965

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07
Under the Console, 1933

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08
The dancer on the ball, 1948

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09
The sick horse, 1963

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

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11
"With the arrow," 1928/1935

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12
Untitled, 1951

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13
Night Watch

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14
The image of man, 1947

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15
The eagle, 1953

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16
The Bridge, 1936

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17
Cloth with swallow, 1946

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18
With the Birds (Floating Away), 1932

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19
The Captive Storm, 1965

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20
The Weeping Trees, 1954.

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21
The Dark and the Light Angel, 1946

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22
Angel roller, 1963

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23
Untitled

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24
The Encounter, 1933

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25
The Christmas horse cracked open, 1948

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26
Untitled, 1965

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27
Dispute

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28
The Storm, 1930

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29
Unitled

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30
The new Bucephalos, 1961

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31
The Organ King

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32
Self portrait, 1946

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