I checked again, and according to (Ubuntu's patched) Nautilus code it either draws both background and icons, or nothing. So it is definitely a bug in Nautilus package.
** Package changed: gnome-panel (Ubuntu) => nautilus (Ubuntu) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1384158 Title: Background image can no longer be set independently of org.gnome.background show-desktop-icons=true To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nautilus/+bug/1384158/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs