A large painted cloth hung at the back of a theater stage as scenery or background; a backdrop.
From 'back' + 'cloth' (fabric). This theatrical term originated in the 1700s as a simple combination of words to describe the large painted fabric hanging behind the stage action.
Before modern lighting and projection, theater relied on painted backcloths so elaborate that famous artists would paint them—you'd travel across Europe just to see a famous theater's scenery collections.
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