a display device for displaying an image in accordance with image signal by applying a drive signal to a ferroelectric liquid crystal which holds an optical state even in a zero electric field state from drive means through scan electrodes and information electrodes in accordance with image information stored in image information memory means , comprises change detection means for detecting change in the image information stored in the image information memory means , and drive control means for controlling drive means in accordance with detection result by the change detection means to apply a signal to erase the display , stop the application of the drive signal or resume the application of the drive signal .