In an image display apparatus according to this invention, higher luminance of a displayed image can be realized by a microlens array provided in a liquid crystal display device. The influence of a pre-tilt of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal panel is optically compensated by the optical compensation layer. Higher contrast of the displayed image and a longer life of the apparatus are thus realized. Since a highly light-resistant inorganic material is used for the optical compensation layer, higher luminance of the displayed image can be realized by higher output of a light source of the image display apparatus. Specifically, if sapphire or crystal, which is highly thermally conductive, is used as the inorganic material, rise in the temperature of the liquid crystal display device can be restrained.