A projector is provided with an image forming device, a light path switching element, a polarization control element, and a polarization plate. The image forming device emits first image light and second image light. The light path switching element shifts a light path of the first image light and a light path of the second image light from each other. The polarization control element controls a polarization direction of the first image light to have a first polarization direction in a first display period, controls polarization directions of the first image light and the second image light to have a second polarization direction different from the first polarization direction in a transition period, and controls the polarization direction of the second image light to have the first polarization direction in a second display period. The polarization plate is disposed on the light exit side of the polarization control element.