Born in Vienna, Emil Ranzenhofer studied under Christian Griepenkerl at the Academy of Fine Arts. Interrupted by military service, Ranzenhofer completed his studies in the late 1880s. By 1900, he was well known locally as a designer of posters and other commercial art forms. In addition to his design work, Ranzenhofer produced etchings and illustrations, including for postcards, certificates, and pamphlets issued by the Zionist Jewish National Fund. While serving in the Austrian military during World War I, he created a number of sketches and designs depicting scenes of the war.