Hill Town near Volterra exhibits the influence French art had on Vedder. The palette of this work is more French than Italian. A more subtle use of color than in earlier works such as Cipressa. The blocked in colors reflect the time that Vedder had spent in Paris. This style of painting, indicative of French studio technique, required a basic color study prior to work on the larger canvas. The French began these theories with the Prix de Rome. The tradition of the Prix de Rome Contests were introduced by the French Academie in 1663 as a way of selecting which students would enjoy stays at the Academie de France in Rome. The artist was given 12 hours to submit a completed study measuring no more than 12.8 x 15 inches. Hill Town near Volterra exhibits the combination of both the Italian Macchiaioli and French Salon ideals of artistry. This particular study remained with the artist until his death. We are not aware of him reusing this particular composition for other works and is in fact along with a Castle Near Perugia remain almost unique for Vedder. Both paintings have a modernity that we find common today yet at the time would have been surprising. They are exceptionally beautiful for their size and execution.