Image receiving sheet and image receiving apparatus using the same

An image is formed in a receiving sheet (17) by embedding toner in an image receiving layer (42) on a base (41). The distribution of molecular weight of resin in the image receiving layer (42) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of soluble matters of tetrahydrofuran (THF) has at least two peaks or shoulders. The critical surface tension of the image receiving layer (42) is made to be smaller than the critical surface tension of external additive. Further, the image receiving layer (42) has a thermal characteristic such that a storage modulus (G') of 1 x 102 Pa to 1 x 105 Pa and a loss modulus (G'') of 1 x 102 Pa to 1 x 105 Pa at temperatures at which the toner is fixed. Furthermore, the image receiving layer (42) contains an aromatic ester compound, more preferably the aromatic polyester compound being dialkyl phthalate. Still further, the image receiving layer (42) has a Rockwell hardness (R scale) HRa of 121 or lower.