An optical element of the invention comprises at least three laminated circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) whose wavelength bands for selective reflection of polarized light overlap one another; a layer (b1) which is placed between at least a pair of the circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) and has a front retardation of substantially zero (in the normal direction) and a retardation of at least .lamda./8 with respect to incident light inclined by at least 30.degree. relative to the normal direction; and a layer (b2) which is placed between at least another pair of the circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) and has a front retardation of substantially zero (in the normal direction) and a retardation of at most .lamda./2 with respect to incident light inclined by 60.degree. relative to the normal direction. The optical element condenses or collimates incident light from a light source and can control transmission of light at large incident angles relative to the normal direction, increase front brightness and reduce coloration.