English Version | The power of a look

The eyes of Bette Davis (1908-1989), which even inspired a musical theme of the same name, may have been her most unmistakable characteristic, but they are only the fuse for a series of postures that made her an icon of her times and beyond. Throughout her career, she played women who often hid their true emotions behind a carefully constructed façade, complicit in society's expectations while struggling with their inner turmoil. Films such as Now, Voyager (1942) and All About Eve (1950) explored this duality: Davis's protagonists masked their vulnerabilities through external poise and control - something that was far from the actress's irreverence (after all, at a time when women were wanted to be demure and delicate, her toughness was palpable and she often appeared smoking in public, unconcerned with the opinions of others). Her resistance to Hollywood beauty standards, ageing gracefully on screen, further symbolised her defiance of social norms, making her a symbol of authenticity in the fight against imposed perfection. And today, still undeniably iconic, her eyes may be the gateway to her soul, but they don't show everything that was Bette Davis.

Translated from the original in Vogues Portugal’s “The Icons Issue” Issue, published November 2024. Full stories and credits in the print issue.