Why not use Picasa ? I say this cause you ask for something similiar to it, so I assume you like Picasa and then I assume you don't know that it is also native to Linux now also.
http://picasa.google.com/linux/
If I misunderstood you then I am sure you'll get an answer you want to hear soon enough.
*edit*
Never realized they made it a mission and rely on Wine, etc .. If you want the easy way out, go with the Digikam that dive just recommended.