Abstract: A light valve image projection apparatus includes a light source, field lens, liquid crystal panel, a projection lens assembly, and projection screen. The projection lens has a stop forming an aperture of the lens assembly decentered from the optical axis of the lenses of the projection lens assembly in the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel. Principal rays are approximately parallel to each other within the effective field angle on the side of the liquid crystal cell. In the light valve image projection apparatus principal rays, parallel to each other, are irradiated on the liquid crystal panel at an angle resulting in the highest contrast ratio to produce a projected image having uniformity and high contrast.