A cathodoluminescent light source has a field-emission cathode serving as a source of electrons, an anode having a specular light-reflecting surface, and an electron-excited phosphor applied to the specular light-reflecting anode surface. The cathode and anode are enclosed in an evacuated housing having a transparent surface, so as to let the electron-excited phosphor on the anode surface be irradiated with an electron beam, and to let the luminous flux resulting from the process of cathodoluminescence to emerge.