The CPR wanted artistic works that would heighten public interest in transcontinental travel.

Bell-Smith’s stylistically conservative paintings were popular in both eastern Canada and Britain, and he frequently returned to the west to work.

He was particularly fond of the natural splendour of the area around Lake Louise and by the turn of the century he made annual trips to the west.

Later artists, including Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, and the Group of Seven, contributed to this focus on Canada’s natural environment in art.

According to Bell-Smith, he followed the advice of a Canadian senator to approach Lord Clinton and Hafiz Abdul Karim about a sitting with the Queen, but, received discouraging replies from both men.

However, he decided to divide his time between Canada and Europe,[4] continuing to paint until his death, becoming less active towards the end of his life.