Brief Biography-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 and trained as a Battaglista, a 'painter of battle.'
The works of Tintoretto, Titian and Paolo Veronese influenced him. 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. He spent time in Verona, but it is uncertain when. His works were of battle, port scenes and landscapes, but he also did portraits.
Eismann influenced Luca Carlevarijs, who is said to be the first 'vedute' or view painter; he, in turn, had a strong influence on the young Canaletto. The principal nobility in Venice kept Eismann employed continuously. 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 he died in 1698.
In Italy, he signed his paintings Johann A Leismann. His name is written sometimes as Lismann, Isman or Lüisman, and he can be called Jean Antoine Eismann or Giovanni Antonio Leisman.