Johann Anton Eismann was born in Salzburg. He studied mathematics in Munich and painted in the Court of the Bavarian Prince Elector. In 1650 he travelled to Rome where he trained as a Battaglista, a 'painter of battle'. He was influenced by the works of Tintoretto, Titian and Paolo Veronese.

It is known that he collaborated with the artists Salvator Rosa, Michelangelo Cerquozzi and Giovanni Ghisolfi. He moved to Venice in 1653 and received commissions from Count Mathias van der Schulenberg and Prince Bishop Charles of Liechtenstein Catelcorno.

His works were of battle, port scenes and landscapes but he also did portraits. His works had an influence on Luca Carlevarijs who has been regarded as the first vedute or view painter; he in turn had a strong influence on the young Canaletto.

The principal nobility in Venice kept Eismann constantly employed. He adopted one of his pupils Carlo Brisighella who went under the name of Charles Eismann and painted the same subjects as his master. Venice was to be his home until his death in 1698.