Wang Wei (王維, 699–759) was born into an aristocratic family and served off and on in the government in a variety of positions. In addition to his prolific poetry, he was an accomplished painter and pipa player.
For a couple of years, 740-741, he retired to the Lantian area south of the capital of Chang’an in the Zhongnan Mountains where he collaborated with the poet Pei Di. At some time Wang Wei became a devout Buddhist. He resumed his official career with the government. This however was interrupted by the An Lushan Rebellion.
Wang Wei died in 759 in the midst of the rebellion.
100 Tang Poems 