There is provide a polarizing plate provided with optical compensation layers capable of performing viewing angle compensation with respect to a liquid crystal cell, providing broadband circular polarization, contributing to thickness reduction, preventing uneven display due to heat, and favorably preventing light leak in black display, and an image display apparatus using the same. The polarizing plate provided with optical compensation layers of the present invention includes a polarizer, a first optical compensation layer, and a second optical compensation layer in the stated order, wherein: the first optical compensation layer contains a resin having an absolute value of photoelastic coefficient of 2.times.10.sup.-11 m.sup.2/N or less, and has a relationship of nx>ny=nz and an in-plane retardation Re.sub.1 of 100 to 170 nm; the second optical compensation layer has a relationship of nx=ny>nz, an in-plane retardation Re.sub.2 of 0 to 50 nm, and a thickness direction retardation Rth.sub.2 of 30 to 400 nm; and an absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the first optical compensation layer form an angle of 25.degree. to 65.degree..