This is a beautifully colorized promotional portrait of Dolores Costello, captured by photographer Preston Duncan for the 1928 film "Glorious Betsy." Known as the "Goddess of the Silent Screen," Costello exudes a classical beauty that was highly celebrated in her time. She gazes softly off to the side with a serene and contemplative expression, her blue eyes strikingly highlighted. Her makeup is delicate, with a rosy blush and lips painted a soft berry hue—both historically appropriate for the era's aesthetics.
She is draped in a deep emerald green velvet-like cloak that covers her head and shoulders, creating a dramatic, almost ethereal frame around her face. The fabric is luxuriously textured, with folds and shadows that give it depth and richness. Her hair is styled in short, soft curls, typical of 1920s fashion, with a few tendrils peeking out from beneath the hood.
The lighting is soft and diffused, with a gentle glow around her head creating a halo effect, enhancing the timeless and romantic atmosphere. Her hand is placed delicately over her chest, adding an emotional, almost devotional quality to her pose. The background is a simple, dark, neutral tone that ensures all focus remains on Costello.
Historical Context:
Glorious Betsy (1928) is a historical romantic drama directed by Alan Crosland and based on a play by Rida Johnson Young. It was one of the early part-talkie films, released during the transition from silent to sound cinema. Dolores Costello starred as Betsy Patterson, an American woman who married Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon’s younger brother.
The image has been colorized in a soft, painterly quality typical of studio portraits from the silent film era.
