Wang Wei (699–761), courtesy name Mojie, was a multifaceted Chinese artist known for his contributions as a musician, painter, poet, and politician during the Tang dynasty. Born in Qi County, Shanxi, he was part of an aristocratic family and demonstrated early talent in the arts. He moved to Chang’an, the imperial capital, at nineteen to prepare for the civil service examination, where he excelled in poetry and music, particularly with the pipa. Wang Wei passed the palace examination in 721, earning the top position of Zhuangyuan, which led to his initial appointment as a court musician.

Throughout his career, Wang Wei experienced fluctuations in his official positions, including a demotion to overseeing a granary in Jizhou. Despite these challenges, he became a highly esteemed figure in the arts. Approximately 400 of his poems have survived, with 29 featured in the anthology Three Hundred Tang Poems. His poetry often drew inspiration from nature and the local landscape, a theme that also permeated his landscape paintings. Although no authenticated paintings by Wang Wei exist today, his influence is evident in later works and artistic styles.

Later in life, Wang Wei embraced Chan Buddhism, becoming a devout practitioner and vegetarian. He spent a decade studying under Chan master Daoguang. His brother, Wang Jin, compiled and edited Wang Wei’s poems by imperial command. Wang Wei's legacy endures as a model of humanistic education and artistic expression, with his work celebrated alongside other great poets of the Tang dynasty, such as Li Bai and Du Fu.