The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 17, 2026

A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a woman with a light skin tone from the chest up, facing us directly. She has short, light hair and dark discoloration and swelling surrounding both eyes. Her right hand rests at her chin, holding a pinecone. She wears a button-down shirt. To our left, a toy airplane sits among rose bushes in front of a light wall.

Face Lift No. 3

1975

Anne Noggle

(American, 1922–2005)
America
gelatin silver print
James Parmelee Fund 2023.51
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Anne Noggle, many of whose photographs illuminate the dignity and beauty of aging women, chose to fight the aging process herself through plastic surgery.

Description

This self-portrait shows the artist recovering from her face lift. It was taken in daylight in a garden, probably her own given the airplane whirligig, which references Noggle’s years as a professional pilot. To her face she holds a flower, a traditional symbol of the fleeting nature of female beauty. This image refutes that idea, suggesting that aging can be fought, but at a price.
  • ?-2023
    Cal Kowal, sold to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    June 5, 2023-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Face Lift No. 3|url=false|author=Anne Noggle|year=1975|access-date=17 October 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2023.51