Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, generating a relief-like contrast at microscopic images or micrographs of a transparent phase object, wherein the object is obliquely illuminated at one side with respect to the plane of the object and observed during transillumination. For illuminating the object there are employed mutually incoherent beams of light rays possessing axes which are essentially parallel to one another.The microscope for the performance of the aforesaid method aspects embodies an object illumination device encompassing a light source and a light conductor formed of a bundle of glass fibers, the light radiating end of which is arranged at the direct neighborhood of the point of intersection of the optical axis of the objective of the microscope with the object slide or support and encloses with such axis an angle which is preferably in the range of about 40.degree. to 50.degree..