An object of the present invention is to provide an image display method for downloading an image of large longitudinal and transverse size and displaying it on a viewer with less latency time. This image display method includes dividing an image larger than a display region of a viewer 12 into a plurality of areas longitudinally and transversely, each divided image being provided beforehand in a server. The viewer 12 determines plural divided images at least a part of each of which is contained in the display region of the viewer 12 in accordance with a relative position between the image and the display region of the viewer 12, and makes a preferential request to the server 10 for the divided images. The server 10 preferentially transmits the corresponding divided images in response to the request. The viewer 12 rearranges and displays the received divided images in an original state.