Wang Anshi, courtesy name Jiefu, was a Chinese economist, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. He served as chancellor and attempted major and controversial socioeconomic reforms known as the New Policies. These reforms constituted the core concepts of the Song-dynasty Reformists, in contrast to their rivals, the Conservatives, led by the Chancellor Sima Guang.
Wang Anshi
Illustration of Wang Anshi from the Wan Xiao Tang, 1743.
Modern statue of Wang Anshi
Modern depiction of Wang Anshi and five scholars
The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Ten Kingdoms, ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The Song often came into conflict with the contemporaneous Liao, Western Xia and Jin dynasties in northern China. After retreating to southern China following attacks by the Jin dynasty, the Song was eventually conquered by the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.
Emperor Taizu of Song (r. 960–976), a court portrait painting
A portrait of Emperor Taizong of Song (r. 976–997)
A wooden Bodhisattva from the Song dynasty (960–1279)
Flock of Crane over Song Palace painting by Emperor Huizong