The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 19, 2026

A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a person with light skin tone submerged in dark water. Their arms extend toward the edges. Their face is coated in a pale, textured substance, and they wear three strands of pearls with pearl earrings. Looking directly at the camera, their wet hair is swept upward. They stand out against the dark water, with small bubbles visible on their right arm.

Self Image in Cochiti Lake

1978

Anne Noggle

(American, 1922–2005)
America
gelatin silver print
Image: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)
Gift of Cal Kowal and Anita Douthat 2024.107
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Anne Noggle did not begin to photograph until 1965, when she was 43 years old.

Description

Noggle photographed her family and friends, producing respectful but also unflinching portraits of middle-aged and elderly women, including herself. Noggle chose to fight the aging process—what she referred to as “the saga of the fallen flesh”—through plastic surgery. This image, taken three years after the procedure,is a “glam shot.” She becomes a sort of water nymph, floating serenely and clad in only a pearl necklace.
  • mid-1980s
    Anne Noggle (the artist) [1922–2005], given to Cal Kowal, Alexandria, KY
    mid-1980s–2024
    Cal Kowal, Alexandria, KY, given to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    September 9, 2024–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Self Image in Cochiti Lake|url=false|author=Anne Noggle|year=1978|access-date=19 October 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2024.107