Looking and the Gaze

Durer's- The way the man is looking at the woman seems very objective. He is surrounded by hard objects like the table and the sword which are very sturdy objects. The woman is surrounded by pillows and in a position that is reclined. She is posing her body and the man is using his mind. This is showing the man being above the woman. The woman is also surrounded by nature showing the sensitive side while the man is thinking and drawing showing his reason.

America- The man in this erect and the woman is reclined showing how the man is the master over the woman. The man is clearly from Europe and civilized while the woman is representing America as primitive. The man has ships behind him and by the way he is dressed it is clear he comes from a distinct culture but the woman is basically naked showing the nature side and primitive side of America.