In 1837, he began taking drawing lessons at the local grammar school that were organized by František Tkadlík and Antonín Mánes from the Academy of Fine Arts.

In 1840 he became a student of the Theresian Military Academy, where was one of the teachers was his uncle Moric Fialka [cs], an army officer and journalist, who had a great influence on Emanuel.

In 1848, when the Revolutions began, his regiment fought under the command of Field Marshal Radetzky at the Battle of Custova.

He retired in 1883, immediately following a gala dinner with Emperor Franz Joseph, where there was some sort of disagreement over the issue of Czech nationalism, but it is not known for certain if that was the cause.

In addition, he also illustrated books and, it is believed, provided perhaps thousand of drawings to magazines, which were published anonymously because of their anti-government content.

His original writings are related to his military service; notably Válečnictví polní a vojenství (a history of warfare, with a few sections written by Miroslav Tyrš).

He also contributed articles to Otto's encyclopedia and wrote some theatrical plays, His greatest literary but unpublished work is autobiography "Paměti z mého žití".

As a pensioner he lectured on this subject and in 1893 founded "Český Kneipp", a society for a healthy lifestyle.Emanuel married in Verona in 1860 Maria Anna, daughter of Major General Josef Rudolph edle von Fris and Francisca born as an edle von Fries.