Abstract: In an in-plane switching (ISP) mode controlling transmission and shielding of light by application of lateral electric field to liquid crystal molecules aligned in the direction in parallel to a substrate, increase in luminance or color shift at a black-representation area or upon black-representation condition at an inclined viewing angle is reduced. First and second polarizing plates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer each have a supporting member (plate) on at least either surface thereof. The supporting member on the inside surface of the first polarizing plate on the side of an illumination unit has a retardation in the thickness direction R1·h1 and the supporting member on the inside surface of the second polarizing plate has a retardation in the thickness direction R2·h2. In the O-mode, R1·h1>R2·h2 and in the E-mode, R1·h1<R2·h2.