# background(_:alignment:) Layers the given view behind this view. ``` nonisolated func background(_ background: Background, alignment: Alignment = .center) -> some View where Background : View ``` ## Parameters `background` The view to draw behind this view. `alignment` The alignment with a default value of [`center`](/documentation/SwiftUI/Alignment/center) that you use to position the background view. ## Discussion Use `background(_:alignment:)` when you need to place one view behind another, with the background view optionally aligned with a specified edge of the frontmost view. The example below creates two views: the `Frontmost` view, and the `DiamondBackground` view. The `Frontmost` view uses the `DiamondBackground` view for the background of the image element inside the `Frontmost` view’s [`VStack`](/documentation/SwiftUI/VStack). ``` struct DiamondBackground: View { var body: some View { VStack { Rectangle() .fill(Color.gray) .frame(width: 250, height: 250, alignment: .center) .rotationEffect(.degrees(45.0)) } } } struct Frontmost: View { var body: some View { VStack { Image(systemName: "folder") .font(.system(size: 128, weight: .ultraLight)) .background(DiamondBackground()) } } } ```  --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)