An optical compensation plate provided in a liquid crystal cell where the interval between liquid crystal layers is sustained through a spacer is formed to become gradually thinner from one end toward the central portion. Spherical fine particles are employed as the spacer and a VA type liquid crystal cell is employed. Since the optical compensation plate is made thin in the central portion in response to the cell gap which becomes thin in the central region of the liquid crystal cell, leakage of light can be prevented well in the central region of the liquid crystal layer.