A rearview mirror element for a motor vehicle includes a light transmitting substrate having a visible light reflecting and visible light transmitting mirror reflector disposed on a surface thereof. A display-on-demand display device is disposed behind the substrate such that light emitted by the display device when powered passes through both the light transmitting substrate and the mirror reflector. The display device exhibits, when powered during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 60 foot lamberts. When not emitting light, the disposition of the display device to the rear of the light transmitting substrate is not substantially distinguishable to the driver of the equipped vehicle when viewing the mirror element. To the rear of the light transmitting substrate is rendered substantially opaque by a light absorbing element that is disposed at least adjacent to where, and except at where, the display device is disposed therebehind.