An electroluminescent device, in which a layer having a light emitting region is provided between an anode and a cathode, is driven by applying a bipolar waveform as a drive waveform per one image display period to the device. The one image display period is divided into a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period. The bipolar waveform per one image display period is set such that a waveform portion (current or voltage) for generating an electric field reversed to an electric field caused in the light emitting period is applied in the non-light emitting period, and that an integral intensity obtained by multiplying a voltage value by an applied time in the light emitting period is balanced with or canceled by an integral intensity obtained by multiplying a voltage value by an applied time in the non-light emitting period. Since the optimized drive waveform is applied to the electroluminescent device, it is possible to realize a high reliability and a long-term service life of the device.