One background for two rows?

Hi,
can I stretch a gradient color background over two rows?
My situation:
I have a one column row with a headline and below a 4 column row with 4 pictures. Both rows belong together and therefore I would like to have a gradient color background that combines both.
Problem is that I can’t have different columns in one row. I also can’t take a 4 column image gallery instead, as every picture is linked to a different page.
Is there a solution I don’t see?
I just started with wordpress and this theme.