A group portrait, probably of Thomas Veel (d.1752), Robert Veel (d.1742) and William Veel (c.1720/1-26 January 1783) of Simondshall with their huntsmen and hounds, near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire

The Veel family had been prominent in and close to Wotton from as early as the 14th century. In the 18th century, they were the leading gentry family, with two properties in the Wotton parish, one house at Synwell to the east of Wotton, and their main residence at Symondshall, which lies about two and a half miles north-east from Wotton, up in the hills.
The sitters in the present lot are very likely to be members of the Veel family, probably the sons of William Veel (b.1674/5) and Hester, daughter of Robert Web of Sinwell: Thomas (d.1752), Robert (d.1742) and William (c.1720/1-26 January 1783). Thomas and Robert both died unmarried, but William, a magistrate, married Anne, the only daughter and heiress of Stephen Compeer, an attorney in Wotton-under-Edge. William and Anne also had three sons with the same Christian names, William, Robert and Thomas.
The artist has placed himself to the east of the town and church, looking westwards. The scene depicted here lies at the heart of the Veel family's ancestral territory, between their main residence off to the right of the picture at Symondshall, and their house at Synwell, closer to the town of Wotton, on its eastern edge. The picture would therefore show the land that they had farmed and hunted over for many generations.