A display device includes a light modulation layer and a light source. The light modulation layer is disposed between a pair of transparent substrates, has determined refractive index anisotropy, and includes plural light modulation elements which differ in responsiveness to an electric field generated by electrodes formed on a transparent substrate. The light source emits light of a determined color incident on the light modulation layer from a side of the light modulation layer. When the electric field is not generated, the light modulation layer transmits the incident light emitted from the light source. When the electric field is generated, the light modulation layer scatters the incident light and emits scattered light to a transparent substrate.