A group of mountain scene paintings being displayed at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives this month have a historic twist to them. 

The scenery revealed in the brush strokes is striking not just for its incredible reproduction, but the fact that David Thompson and his crew are depicted within it. 

Joseph Cross, an artist who hails from Cranbrook, B.C., is responsible for the interesting pieces. He uses what the areas look like now, with a thought to what it would have been like 200 years ago, to show Thompson and his men crossing over high mountain passes experiencing the beauty of the Jasper region for the first time. 

Cross stopped by Jasper on Aug. 9 to reveal two brand new paintings to add to the collection. The pieces are part of the David Thompson Legacy Art Project.

Karen Byers, manager of the museum, said that Cross hiked the Athabasca Pass last summer, but his journey was unfortunately dampered by bad weather. He hopes to try it again and truly experience what Thompson did. 

Many of the pieces are for sale, and will be on display in Jasper until September. For more information on Cross and the project, visit his website at web.me.com/josephcrossart/josephcrossart.com