arrièreplan

Arrière-plan is a French term meaning the part of a scene that is farthest from the viewer. It contrasts with the premier plan (foreground) and, in many discussions, with the middle ground. This organization is used across visual arts and media to convey depth and context.

In painting and photography, the arrière-plan provides setting, atmosphere, and scale. It can be natural elements such as the sky or distant hills, or architectural features. Techniques such as depth of field and lighting determine how the arrière-plan is rendered; a sharply focused background and a shallow depth of field can either support or compete with the subject.

In cinema, theater, and design, backdrops, sets, and backgrounds establish place and mood without drawing attention away from the main subject. In digital media and user interfaces, the term translates to the background layer or image, controlled by tools and properties such as CSS background.

Etymology: the word derives from arrière meaning behind and plan meaning plane. Related terms include premier plan (foreground) and plan médian (middle ground).