An organic electroluminescent image display apparatus capable of displaying a high-quality image wherein light is taken out from a cathode layer side of an upper surface is described. The organic electroluminescent image display apparatus includes an anode layer, an organic layer, a barrier conductive layer having optical transparency, and a cathode layer having the optical transparency successively disposed on a substrate. The barrier conductive layer contains a metal, an inorganic nitride, and/or an inorganic oxide. Alternatively, the organic electroluminescent image display apparatus includes an anode layer, an organic layer, a first cathode layer having optical transparency, an electron transport protective layer having the optical transparency, and a second cathode layer having the optical transparency successively disposed on a substrate. The electron transport protective layer contains an alkali metal and/or an alkali earth metal in an electron transporting organic material.