Ziesenis' father Johan Jürgen Ziesenis was a painter from Hanover, who was granted Danish citizenship in Copenhagen in 1709 and whose works included Baptism of Christ (173[clarification needed]) for Copenhagen's Garrison Church.

After drawing lessons from his father, Johann lived in Düsseldorf, where he received further training and painted several portraits of the royal family.

In 1764, Ziesenis became court painter in Hanover and in 1766, he was granted 400 kroner by the Danish king "for travel and other expenses".

He also worked for the courts in Brunswick and Berlin and his daughters Maria and Margaretha were also painters.

Ziesenis created around 260 portraits and other paintings and sketches in the course of his life, including ones of Crown Prince Frederik in 1767, now on display at Fredensborg Palace, Frederick II and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz,[3] future wife of King George III of Great Britain.