Public Class Form1
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As _
      System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Dim bmp As New Bitmap(100, 100)
        Dim rec As New Rectangle(0, 0, bmp.Width, bmp.Height)
        Using g As Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp), lgb As New _
          Drawing2D.LinearGradientBrush(rec, Color.White, Color.Black, _
          Drawing2D.LinearGradientMode.Vertical)
            g.FillRectangle(lgb, rec)
        End Using
        Me.BackgroundImageLayout = ImageLayout.Stretch
        Me.BackgroundImage = bmp
    End Sub
End Class