In a method for displaying an image: a polarization inversion pattern is produced in a ferroelectric member in accordance with image information so as to produce a surface charge pattern corresponding to the polarization inversion pattern; and an image contrast is produced in a contrast production member by the influence of the surface charge pattern, where the contrast production member is joined to the ferroelectric member. The polarization inversion pattern may be produced by heating the ferroelectric member so as to produce a heat distribution corresponding to the image information in the ferroelectric member. Further, the ferroelectric member may be heated by applying infrared light carrying the image information to the ferroelectric member.