The Civil War is hot again. Spielberg’s Lincoln made it so. And, as a result, mixed media of every stripe are looking to capitalize on the trend. The Metropolitan throws its hat in the ring with a respectful – somewhat fascinating – photography exhibit, the allure of which is not so much in the composition as it is in the dark nostalgia.

Photography itself was only 20 years old at the onset of the Civil War, and you can see the early limitations in the cartes de visites and silver prints on display here. What’s even more intriguing are the mild curiosities – a chess board with headshots of the Civil War generals placed on white squares only, an 1860s studio camera (with posing stand), a series of Stereographs, and a campaign pin from Lincoln’s final presidential campaign (along with a mourning corsage from his death). Photog enthusiasts will enjoy the installation for its incorporation of landmark development techniques. Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy it for just about everything else.

(Photography And The Civil War runs from now through 9/2 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Free with suggested donation, 5th Avenue at 83rd Street.) 

Five More For the Offing:

• Sleeping Soldiers by Tim Hetherington @ The International Center for Photography School Pavilion (Free, Through 5/4, 1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street)
• Search Party by Jim Houser @ Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Free, through 5/4, 529 West 20th Street)
• Eric Zener @ Gallery Henoch (Free, through 4/27, 555 W. 25th Street)
• Splendid Playground by Gutai @ The Guggenheim ($22 General Admission, through 5/8, 5th Avenue between 88th & 89th Street)
• Women’s Studies by Various Artists @ The American Folk Art Museum (Free, through 5/26, Columbus Avenue at 66th Street)