A filter substrate including a transparent support substrate 11, a pattern layer 13, a first overcoat layer 15 formed of a reaction product prepared by a chemical reaction mainly based on hydrolysis of a starting material comprising at least a material selected from aminoalkcyldialkoxysilanes, aminoalkcyltrialkoxysilanes. and composites composed mainly of said compounds, and a first transparent inorganic thin-film layer 17 stacked on top of one another. The surface of the first transparent inorganic thin-film layer 17 has an Ra (average roughness) value of not more than 5 nm and an Rmax (maximum roughness) value of not more than 80 nm. A color display includes the filter substrate, and a transparent electrode layer, a luminescent layer, and a second electrode layer stacked in that order on the filter substrate. The filter substrate has excellent environmental resistance and does not adversely affect the luminance of the display.