background colour only showing on grid mode... not sure why

assignments/a3/src/main/java/Gallery.java

@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ public class Gallery extends JPanel implements Observer
       this.setLayout(new GridLayout(0, 1));
     }
 
-    this.setBackground(Color.cyan);
-    
     this.removeAll();
     
     for (Item i: items)
     {
       this.add(i);
     }
+
+    this.setBackground(Color.cyan);
   }
 }