To provide an image display device capable of providing a stereoscopic image for an observer both when it is arranged to be long vertically and when it is arranged to be long horizontally.

The image display device 1 includes: a display panel 3 for displaying the image; a back light 2 for radiating light to the display panel 3; and a retardation plate 6 including a polarization control area 6a for controlling the light radiated from the back light 2 to light having a first axis of polarization, and polarization control areas 6b and 6c for controlling the light radiated from the back light 2 to light having a second axis of polarization. It provides the stereoscopic image for the observer 20 by making the light transmitted through the polarization control area 6b advance to observer 20's eye while it is arranged to be long vertically, and also provides the stereoscopic image for the observer 20 by making the light transmitted through the polarization control area 6c advance to observer 20's eye in such a state that it is arranged to be long horizontally.

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