in 1949 she emigrated to the united states, arriving in new york city. browning became an american citizen a year later. the artist lived in new york city for the next five decades. browning was a major figure in the realism (arts) movement in new york city during a time when abstract realism and the art of jackson pollock was beginning to rise to prominence. in particular, browning often painted new york city and scenes of urban life. for instance her painting "holiday" (1951-2) depicts a street scene that browning captured while living on 116th street and second avenue in manhattan. in 1952 she exhibited at the whitney museum of american art. in 1953 she held a solo exhibition at the edwin hewitt gallery in new york city.