Picture This: 'The Mask of Lincoln'

THERE ARE a lot of photos of President-elect Barack Obama out there. And we're not just talking the official press-conference variety. Run a quick image search on Google and you'll find everything from a digitally remastered rendition of our future prez in a superhero costume to his pensive gaze on the side of a shoe. It's no surprise, really. Such photo exposure goes hand-in-hand with being commander-in-chief.

Just ask Abe Lincoln.

As one of the first presidents whose entire tenure was captured in the early variations of photographs, the rail-splitter understood the importance of maintaining a presence in the public eye through pictures. Don't believe us? Head to the National Portrait Gallery to see "The Mask of Lincoln," an exhibit featuring evolving depictions of Honest Abe over the years. In these days of zoom lenses and high-speed shutters, Obama's got it easy.

» National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW; through July 5, free; 202-633-8300. (Gallery Place-Chinatown)