Provided is an organic EL element including: a first electrode 13; a protection layer 15 that is formed on the first electrode 13 and has an opening portion through which the first electrode 13 is exposed; an insulation layer 17 that is formed on the protection layer 15; an organic layer 19 that is formed over the insulation layer 17 and the first electrode 13 exposed through the opening portion, and includes an emission layer; and a second electrode 21 formed on the organic layer 19, wherein a film thickness of the protection layer 15 is less than that of the organic layer 19.