The present invention provides a novel photosensitive resin composition used for forming a spacer for a liquid crystal display element by photolithographic method. More specifically, the invention provides a negative working photosensitive resin composition as a suitable material for forming a spacer which has, besides conventional properties, a high sensitivity, excellent developing properties such as no occurrence of scums, and alkali resistance and water resistance; a spacer formed by using the composition and liquid crystal display elements installed with the spacer. The present photosensitive resin composition comprises alkali-insoluble resin soluble (A), a compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond (B), an organic peroxide photoinitiator having benzophenone structure (C) and a photosensitizer having 4,4'-bis(dialkylamino)benzophenone structure, and if necessary, an alkali-insoluble vinyl copolymer having an epoxy group (AIS).
Photosensitive resin composition, spacer and liquid crystal display element