In a liquid crystal display apparatus, comprising a liquid crystal panel 170 and a rear projection device for projecting a light (i.e., a backlight) upon that liquid crystal panel from a rear surface side thereof, the rear projection device comprises a rear projection device (unit) 100, including therein a short-range oblique light projection optic system for projecting a light from a light source 101, obliquely and enlargedly, on a rear surface side of the liquid crystal panel 170; thereby providing a rear projection apparatus, etc., which can be applied in a direct-vision type thin image display apparatus, while disposing the liquid crystal panel separating from heat generation, so as to reduce the ill influences thereof.