Two (2) Werner Wildner (Nashville, Tennessee, 1925-2004) surrealist artworks. 1st item: Watercolor and gouache painting with graphite depicting an anthropomorphized figure with a human face, claw-like gauntlet arms, one holding the ace of spades, and a sword through its head, leaning against a table with two ordinary legs, one bird claw leg, and one leg in the shape of a branch, against a white background. Initialed "W." lower left. Housed and matted under glass in a wooden frame. Sight - 9" H x 7 5/8" W. Framed - 15" H x 12 1/2" W. 2nd item: Pencil and gouache surrealist drawing on paper depicting an anthropomorphic egg creature with bird like feet, a stitched mouth, a nose ring, and an arrow through its forehead, with a crane riding on the top of its head a landscape background. Initialed "W." lower left. Double matted. Sight - 9 7/8" H x 6 3/4" W. Matted - 18 5/8" H x 10 5/8" W. Provenance: Estate of Carl Klein, Brentwood, TN. Biography: Nashville painter Werner Wildner, known for his fantastical paintings and drawings of whimsical, sometimes grotesque creatures, was known to joke that he was "the reincarnation of Hieronymus Bosch." Wildner was born in Germany but emigrated to America with his family as a child and, as by his teenage years, was living in Nashville. He served in the Army in 1944 and studied art briefly at the Meinzinger Art School in Detroit. He practiced commercial art in Nashville for awhile, but by the mid-1950s had decided to pursue his own art career. A 1962 exhibit of his art at the Nashville art institution now known as Cheekwood led to greater renown as well as critical and commercial success. However, the death of his parents and collapse of his marriage in the 1970's led him to become reclusive in the last two decades of his life.

Both overall very good condition. 1st item: Not examined outside of frame.